Public speaking is a concern for many students. Research has pointed to the professional benefits of honing oral communication skills despite the potential aversion to it. This article highlights how college students' speech apprehension and their need to communicate with audiences effectively have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In…

In online courses, much of the course communication occurs in public spaces. In synchronous courses, the video and audio channels represent a shared space, and although private chat messages are possible, they may not be substantial or frequent. In asynchronous courses, discussion boards are the allocated space for communication. In these…

Online learning has provided pathways for access to flexible educational experiences, but can also feel isolating and impersonal, lacking authentic relationships with instructors and peers. Centering the discussion of humanizing distance education through the lens of three core pedagogical components of teaching and learning (i.e., instruction,…

Online learning discussion formats provide an opportunity for learners to share their experiences, negotiate meaning, and take ownership of the subject matter. Chat rooms also provide learners with anyplace and real-time ways to participate in academic discussions. Shared understanding occurs when individual experience mediated through group…

Humans are inherently social creatures. Socialization and connection with a learning community is a central aspect of learning. Although cultivating social presence and connectivity may seem like an afterthought compared to other aspects of course design, the truth is that social connection with other learners can be a key factor in a student's…

Building on Thomas Jefferson's famous words, 'I cannot live without books,' distance education thrives on the power of the written word and the compelling nature of the visual image. This article re-examines ways to include a level of power in what we write and an attempt at communicating ideas visually. Printed materials in distance education…

Humans are inherently social creatures. Socialization and connection with a learning community is a central aspect of learning. Although cultivating social presence and connectivity may seem like an afterthought compared to other aspects of course design, the truth is that social connection with other learners can be a key factor in a student's…

Much research has shown that discussion boards (DBs) in online learning can be as useful as any physical discussion (Prenksy, 2003; Ransdell, 2013). Prenksy was one of the first researchers to emphasize that online learning had to be motivating, just like any other type of learning. Students will only do what they believe will help them learn.…

As online education's prevalence increases, postsecondary institutions have not met online learners' mental health needs. In-person learners benefit from accessible and robust campus services and activities to support well-being. However, many postsecondary institutions do not offer teletherapy or comparative social activities. Furthermore, online…

Nova Scotia University (NSU) is inarguably a leader in distance education. The purpose of this article is to examine the success of Nova Southeastern University's early implementation of distance education through Rogers' (2003) four main elements of diffusion of innovations. Rogers argued there are four elements involved in the diffusion of new…