Leaders in Online and Professional Continuing Education

Understanding the Adult Learner and Other PCO Constituencies in Professional, Continuing, and Online Education - June 2023

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Faculty Member

Andy Atzert

Cost 

Members: $459 

Non-Members: $599

Description

Who are the constituents and stakeholders that compose the ecosystem of Professional, Continuing, and Online Education? What are the unique characteristics and educational needs of adult learners?   How do the characteristics of the student market determine how programs are designed and delivered?

This course examines prospective student markets and how to address their educational needs.  This course also examines the roles of employers, communities, and government agencies in creating educational opportunities. 


Topics Covered 

  • Professional, Continuing, and Online Education (PCO) audiences 
  • Characteristics, motivations, and learning barriers of adult learners
  • Trends in adult learner enrollment
  • Program planning for PCO audiences
  • Online learners and alternative credentials 

Learning Objectives

  • Identify different potential audiences for PCO programs.
  • Describe trends in adult student enrollments and sources of data.
  • Explain the unique characteristics and learning needs of adult learners, including motivation and barriers.
  • Explain ways to learn more about and recruit prospective PCO audiences.
  • Describe program features and services needed to accommodate adult learners.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of online learners.
  • Explain and give examples of alternative credentials for adults and other groups that offer educational opportunities for adults

Who should take this course? 

This course is designed for professionals at various levels, particularly those who have some experience in PCO education administration who seek to learn more about working with adult and online audiences. 

Format and Schedule

This is a four week course consisting of about five hours of weekly course work made up of readings, asynchronous activities, and a weekly one hour live class meeting via Zoom on the dates below: 

  • Monday June 26th, 3:30-4:30 ET: Welcome and Course Overview 
  • Monday July 3, 3:30-4:30 ET: Week 1 
  • Monday July 10, 3:30-4:30 ET: Week 2 
  • Monday July 17, 3:30-4:30 ET: Week 3 
  • Monday July 24, 3:30-4:30 ET: Week 4 and Course Wrap-Up 



Andy Atzert

Dean of College of Professional and Continuing Studies

Adelphi University

Andy Atzert is the Dean of Adelphi University’s College of Professional and Continuing Studies, located in Garden City, NY.  Prior to joining Adelphi in July 2019, he held positions at Columbia University’s School of Professional studies, including Associate Dean of Administrative Affairs in charge of Finance, HR, IT & Analytics, and Senior Associate Dean of External Affairs.  His career includes leadership positions at the Wharton School of Business, where he created executive education programs for Global 1000 companies; at the New School in New York, where he oversaw continuing education and online programs; and at Arizona State University, where he was the Executive Director of the Center for Executive and Professional Development at the W.P. Carey School of Business and the administrative director for the school’s online MBA programs and online certificates. Andy holds a B.A. in English from Rutgers University, an MS.Ed in TESOL from the University of Pennsylvania, and an Ed.D in Organizational Leadership Studies from Northeastern University. 

See what past participants have to say about this course: 
 

"It was great. Every PCO employee should jump on this one."

 

"The course content provided relevant information that is applicable and relatable in the current PCO environment. I found the readings and articles especially helpful in understanding potential avenues that my own PCO unit can explore to navigate these unknown times."

 

"Excellent content, well-paced and engaging 'live' meetings, meaningful discussion topics, applicable culminating assignment."

 

"Barbara was great. She engaged with the different stages of colleagues at the various career stages and within different departments"

Key:

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Course Overview
Course Description
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Facilitator Contact & Course Support
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Competencies
Click here to read the Objectives
Click here to read the Objectives
Live Video Conference Meeting: Welcome and Course Overview - Monday 06/26/2023 at 3:30-4:30 (Eastern)
06/26/2023 at 3:30 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 07/03/2023
06/26/2023 at 3:30 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 07/03/2023 Join Zoom Meeting: https://upcea.zoom.us/j/83222742272?pwd=QVQrcVNsbmNqWmF2UU1OcEl1TmtSUT09
Week 1
Week 1 Overview
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Click here to read the weekly overview
Video: Course Introduction
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Introduction to Week 1
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Discussion: Week 1 Discussion 1 - Course Community
Discussion: Week 1 Discussion 2
Adult Students in Higher Education: An Overview and Numbers
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Discussion: Week 1 Discussion 3
Week 1 Video Conference Meeting: Monday 07/03/23 at 3:30-4:30 (Eastern)
07/03/2023 at 3:30 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 07/07/2023
07/03/2023 at 3:30 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 07/07/2023 Join Zoom Meeting: https://upcea.zoom.us/j/83222742272?pwd=QVQrcVNsbmNqWmF2UU1OcEl1TmtSUT09
Week 2
Week 2 Overview
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Click here to read the weekly overview
Adult Learner Motivations and Barriers to Participation
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Adult Learner Characteristics and Adult Learning Theory
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Discussion: Week 2 Discussion 1
Adult Student Experiences
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Discussion: Week 2 Discussion 2
Week 2 Live Video Conference Meeting: Monday 07/10/23 at 3:30-4:30 (Eastern)
07/10/2023 at 3:30 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 07/21/2023
07/10/2023 at 3:30 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 07/21/2023 Join Zoom Meeting: https://upcea.zoom.us/j/83222742272?pwd=QVQrcVNsbmNqWmF2UU1OcEl1TmtSUT09
Week 3
Week 3 Overview
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Click here to read the weekly overview
Insights about Target Audiences
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Discussion: Week 3 Discussion 1
Approaches to Programming
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Discussion: Week 3 Discussion 2
Marketing and Customer Service
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Discussion: Week 3 Discussion 3
Culminating Activity (Preparation)
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Week 3 Live Video Conference Meeting: Monday 07/17/2023 at 3:30-4:30 (Eastern)
07/17/2023 at 3:30 PM (EDT)  |  60 minutes
07/17/2023 at 3:30 PM (EDT)  |  60 minutes This week's recording is unavailable. There was a technical error in capturing the session recording. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Week 4
Week 4 Overview
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Click here to read the weekly overview
Serving Online Learners
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Discussion: Week 4 Discussion 1
Alternative Credentials
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Examples of Professional and Workforce Development Programming
Read
Discussion: Week 4 Discussion 2
Enter Discussion
Enter Discussion Participate in the discussion board activity.
Other Audiences and Other PCO Providers
Read
Week 4 Discussion: Culminating Activity Peer Feedback
Culminating Activity
Graded as Pass/Fail
Graded as Pass/Fail
Week 4 Live Video Conference Meeting: Monday 07/24/23 at 3:30-4:30 (Eastern)
07/24/2023 at 3:30 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 08/02/2023
07/24/2023 at 3:30 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 08/02/2023 Join Zoom Meeting: https://upcea.zoom.us/j/83222742272?pwd=QVQrcVNsbmNqWmF2UU1OcEl1TmtSUT09