Course Facilitator 

Barbara Hanniford

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 learners at various professional 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. The schedule for the live class meetings is: 

• Thursday November 18, 2021 at 1:30 ET: Course Introduction and Welcome 
• No class the week of November 25, 2021 
• Thursday December 2, 2021 at 1:30 ET:  Discussion of week 1 and week 2 content 
• Thursday December 9, 2021 at 1:30 ET: Discussion of week 3 Content
• Thursday December 16, 2021 at 1:30 ET: Discussion of week 4 content and course wrap up

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"