While COVID-19 has brought online learning into the spotlight, remote teaching and learning had been an increasingly important component of higher education for quite some time. And equity in online learning persists as a major challenge, since home access to computers and reliable broadband can vary significantly.
However, equity in online learning is about more than the availability of fully featured devices and fast connectivity, according to a recent Hechinger Report. Colleges and universities that strive to provide a truly equitable online learning experience need to implement an instructional model that ensures a level playing field for all students.
Three elements can determine the success of an online learning program: course design, student support and assessment. Following these recommendations can go a long way toward providing a fair and fruitful experience for remote higher education learners.
1. Design courses with easily-accessible content for all students:
It’s essential for learning outcomes to be clearly aligned with content and assessment. Professors must logically organize and make them easy to navigate. Instructors should provide simple instructions so students know exactly what they need to accomplish, and make it clear how assignments link to course objectives. Consider teaching with video, simulations and podcasts, for instance, to reach students with varying learning styles.
2. Provide academic support through multiple means:
Students may be struggling with their coursework but professors can’t recognize the signs from remote learners as they could otherwise in a classroom situation. Make sure that students know how to ask for help when they need it. Professors must make themselves available through email and during virtual office hours. Universities also can build in some additional supports like occasional check-ins – particularly for at-risk students – so students don’t feel invisible and anonymous. Use data analytics to identify students who need a higher level of support and proactively provide help for those who may need it.
3. Make sure tests are fair, secure, reliable and proctored:
Offer tests that give students a variety of ways to demonstrate their knowledge. Closely align assessments with course content and keep testing in a secure environment. Cheating opportunities abound in online assessment, but higher education institutions can use live or technology-based online proctoring to ensure online exam integrity.