Instructional Strategies for Faculty Working with Underprepared Online Adult Learners

Instructional Strategies for Faculty Working with Underprepared Online Adult Learners ABSTRACT "Given the rise of distance learning in recent years, online undergraduate instructors are continually faced with the challenge of working with a wide-variety of students, including an increasing number of underprepared students. Jones and Becker (2002) define underprepared students as “first-generation college students, adults returning to school after many years because they need more skills, students who come to a college because they do not know what else to do, transfer students, students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and minorities.”  These learners differ from traditional college students in that many of them are already established in their careers, but still lack one or more of the basic skills necessary to succeed in higher education, such as reading, writing, or computer skills. Faculty are in a position to positively impact these students through use of a number of best practices, contributing to a positive student outcome and increased student engagement."