In this episode of Educast 3000, Ryan Lufkin and Melissa Loble engage with Dr. Trey Martindale, Associate Vice Provost of Online Learning at Middle Tennessee State University. They discuss the evolution of online learning, the importance of instructional design, and the impact of COVID-19 as a catalyst for growth in online education. Dr. Martindale shares insights on the challenges and opportunities in expanding online programs, the significance of research in online education, and the future of learning in the context of AI advancements.
Takeaways:
- Online learning is crucial for adult learners and career advancement.
- The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to online education.
- Instructional design is a growing field with increasing recognition.
- Student services are essential for online program success.
- Research in online education is often lacking and needs improvement.
- Collaboration among educators and instructional designers is vital.
- AI presents both challenges and opportunities for online learning.
- Flexibility in course offerings is important for student engagement.
- Sharing failures can lead to better practices in education.
- Building a strong professional network is beneficial for educators.
