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Reports

2024 CHLOE 9 | Strategy Shift: Institutions Respond to Sustained Online Demand

CHLOE 9 | Strategy Shift: Institutions Respond to Sustained Online Demand

The ninth installment of the Changing Landscape of Online Education (CHLOE) report, produced by Quality MattersTM , Eduventures® and Educause — offers an overview of the current state of online learning in higher education as well as insights into its future development. The report was compiled by surveying chief online officers (COLOs) — the professionals best situated to assess the current state of this ever-developing field — at U.S. two- and four-year colleges and universities.  

https://qualitymatters.org/qa-resources/resource-center/articles-resources/CHLOE-9-report-2024

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Reports

2023 CHLOE 8: Student Demand Moves Higher Ed Toward a Multi-Modal Future

CHLOE 8: Student Demand Moves Higher Ed Toward a Multi-Modal Future

The eighth installment of the Changing Landscape of Online Education (CHLOE) report, produced by Quality MattersTM and Eduventures®, offers an overview of the current state of online learning in higher education as well as insights into its future development. The report was compiled by surveying chief online officers (COOs) — the professionals best situated to assess the current state of this ever-developing field — at U.S. two- and four-year colleges and universities.  

https://qualitymatters.org/qa-resources/resource-center/articles-resources/CHLOE-8-report-2023

Categories
Reports

2022 CHLOE 7: Tracking Online Learning from Mainstream Acceptance to Universal Adoption

CHLOE 7: Tracking Online Learning from Mainstream Acceptance to Universal Adoption

The seventh installment of the Changing Landscape of Online Education (CHLOE) report, produced by Quality Matters™ and Eduventures®, offers an overview of the current state of online learning in higher education as well as insights into its future development. The report was compiled by surveying chief online officers (COOs) at two- and four-year colleges and universities — the professionals best situated to assess the current state of this ever-developing field. 

https://qualitymatters.org/qa-resources/resource-center/articles-resources/CHLOE-7-report-2022

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Research

White Paper – Students’ Perceptions of Academic Coaches in the Online RN to BSN Program

Instructional Connections’ Academic Coaches play a crucial role in the online RN to BSN program by providing prompt feedback, overseeing discussion boards, assisting with grading, and notifying faculty about students who may need extra support. Their involvement has the potential to improve program completion rates, which is essential for addressing the nursing shortage. Students have expressed positive perceptions of the support provided by Academic Coaches, viewing them as valuable resources in their online learning journey.

IC White Paper – Student Perceptions by CSU Research Grant 2022-2023

Reference:

Grissette, B., Hawkins, A., & Kuck, S. (2023). The effect of collaboration and utilisation of academic coaches in online learning environments. Advances in Online Education: A Peer-Reviewed Journal, 2(2), 160-169.

 

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Event

July 27 – 30, 2025: DLA’s Annual Conference

July 22 -24, 2025, Distance Learning Administration Annual Conference  (in person) in Jekyll Island, Georgia. 

Instructional Connections is delighted to be an exhibitor and presenter at the 2025 DLA Conference.

2025 Distance Learning Administration (DLA) Conference, taking place at the renowned Jekyll Island Club Hotel, nestled in the beauty of Jekyll Island, Georgia, from July 27th to 30th. This pivotal event is tailor-made for individuals who hold a keen interest or play an active role in the strategic planning, governance, implementation, and performance assessment of distance learning programs.

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Event

July 22-24, 2025: UPCEA’s SOLAR Annual Conference

July 22 -24, 2025, UCPEA’s SOLAR Annual Conference  (in person) in Denton, TX. 

Instructional Connections is delighted to be an exhibitor at the 2025 Summit for Online Leadership and Administration (SOLAR) Conference being held July 22-24, 2025, in the verdant city of Portland, Oregon. 

SOLAR 2025 will focus on the core themes of digital transformation, innovation, and strategic leadership. Whether you are a senior leader, an emerging professional, or an instructional/learning designer in—or aspiring to a leadership role—SOLAR offers a unique opportunity to explore strategies and best practices that are crucial to navigating the dynamic landscape of online education.

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Event

March 30 – April 2, 2025: TxDLA Annual Conference

March 30 through April 2, 2025, Texas Digital Learning Association‘s Annual Conference (in person) in Denton, TX. 

Instructional Connections sponsors this conference and will have a booth for attendees to stop by and learn more about us. Additionally, Dr. Jacquelyn Cato will host a poster presentation of her dissertation research, ‘An Approach to Help Achieve Faculty Work/Life Balance’.

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Blog

UPCEA’s SOLAR Conference & Instructional Connections

Digital learning is a dynamic and exciting field, and there has never been quite as exciting a time as the current hour. Countless new technologies, processes, and paradigms have upended online education in the last decade, and the advent of even newer technology, like generative AI, is looking to continue that trend. If you’re a senior leader or instructor, the future of your institution hinges on how well you can position your university to capitalize on these emerging trends to better student outcomes. In times as fast-paced as these, connection with other leaders in online education is paramount. 

Instructional Connections is delighted to be an official exhibitor at the 2025 Summit for Online Leadership and Administration (SOLAR) Conference. The conference will be held July 22-24, 2025, in Portland, Oregon, and we hope to see you there. Connecting with other leaders in digital transformation offers you countless opportunities to learn about emerging trends in online connection and connect with peers from across North America. 

Read on to learn about the UPCEA SOLAR conference!

Who

UPCEA’s SOLAR conferences are designed around empowering leaders in online education. Attendees come with various problems they’re looking to better understand, whether that’s refining online education program design, developing an institutional online education strategy, or implementing new student models for better student outcomes. Regardless of the specific use case, attendees at SOLAR can learn more about the future of online education through keynotes, workshops, and social conversations. 

This year’s conference will focus on several institutional challenges, including the use of artificial intelligence in future online education, the results of UPCEA’s 2025 Benchmarking Online Enterprises Survey, and a panel on the future of online education. 

Schedule

The conference will begin on July 22nd with a conference orientation and the opening general session. July 23rd will host a general session on UPCEA’s 2025 Benchmarking Online Enterprises Survey results, followed by a fireside chat on Chief Online Learning Officer competencies for the modern world. From there, attendees will spend the rest of the day in smaller, concurrent sessions around specific topics, with several networking breaks throughout the event. Depending on the expertise of the faculty member presenting, these sessions will cover everything from digital inclusion and dashboard analytics to organizational digital culture and strategy. The conference will close on the 24th after a general panel on the future of digital education, hosted by attendees from several higher education institutions. 

Registration

Registration information can be found here. Registration fees must be submitted by June 24th, although late registration fees could be accepted until July 21st, depending on availability. You also will have the opportunity to purchase The Chief Online Learning Officers’ Guidebook: A Framework for Strategy and Practice in Higher Education during registration. This resource will give you essential strategies and practical ideas as an online education leader, ideas that will help your institution adapt to an ever-changing world. If you’re a Chief Online Learning Officer attending the COLO fireside chat, please note you’ll receive a copy free of charge! 

Leisure & Networking

UPCEA’s SOLAR conference will feature several breakout sessions for networking and connection throughout the day. While the content and insights you’ll glean from SOLAR are incredibly valuable, the chance to broaden your professional network and spend quality time with like-minded educators is priceless. We encourage you to take advantage of all the various networking opportunities SOLAR offers. 

Additionally, there’s much more to see within Portland if you’re looking for entertainment after hours. The planning committee of UPCEA has linked several options here for your review, among them

  • Sporting events
  • The Portland Art Museum
  • Portland’s amazing public parks
  • Several world-class dining options

Register Now

Are you registered for UPCEA’s 2025 conference? Register today and secure your spot! The Instructional Connections team will be an official exhibitor, and we’d love to connect! We hope to see you there and look forward to an informative, engaging, and collaborative session about the future of digital transformation.

Categories
Blog

Instructional Connections Presents: The TxDLA Digital Learning Conference

Digital connections and communication may be the future of education, but that doesn’t mean there’s no room for in-person connections. In an increasingly virtual world, it’s even more imperative than ever that peers find the time to chat in person about the challenges they’re encountering and possible solutions. In-person conferences are a proven way to help disseminate knowledge, enhance academic collaboration, and build professional networks. 

These are just some of the many reasons we’re so excited about the upcoming Texas Digital Learning Association conference in Denton, Texas! This event will be a one-of-a-kind opportunity for educators and faculty to connect with their peers and learn about the latest trends in digital education and online coaching. The conference will be held from March 30th to April 2nd in Denton, TX, and Instructional Connections is a sponsor.

What is the TXDLA Digital Learning Conference

This conference is an unparalleled opportunity for educators across Texas to learn about the latest and greatest trends within the space. The three days scheduled in Denton are filled with informative content, all planned to inform and educate attendees. There’s something for everyone at this year’s TxDLA Digital Learning Conference: networking opportunities, keynote presentations, educational demonstrations, workshops, or conference breakouts. The TxDLA Digital Learning Conference is always such a groundbreaking event. It is a must-attend conference for Texas educators looking to stay current in digital learning and academic coaching.

Who is the TxDLA Digital Learning Conference For? 

This conference is for anyone who wants to understand digital learning and education better. The reasons to attend are myriad, and attendees will have different reasons for registering. The more common reasons one might attend include:

  • An expanded network of diverse and passionate educators
  • A desire to better understand challenges within digital education
  • A hunger for real-world strategies to solve common institutional problems
  • Connections with like-minded peers
  • Enhanced digital learning and upskilling
  • Deepened understanding of the future of education and emerging educational trends

What Can I Expect? 

The event will open with pre-conference workshops on Sunday, March 30th. The conference will kick off on the 31st with the opening keynote, and the first day will include informative workshops and collaborative breakout sessions. Another must-see element of this conference is an exhibit hall filled with helpful conference partners and relevant promotions. Of course, no conference would be complete without networking events, such as a networking dinner and several other activities. The conference will finish on April 2nd with an extended workshop and the closing keynote. 

Find Instructional Connections

This event truly helps the higher education community stay engaged and connected. It always reinvigorates attendees and equips them with pertinent skills and a deeper understanding of virtual education in academia. We’re so grateful for the hard work the Texas Digital Learning Association pours into this event. We are always left in awe of the passion, dedication, and creativity the Texas academia community brings to digital education. We hope you’ll consider attending, and we hope to see you there.

Categories
Blog

What Do Students Want From Online Programs?

For higher education institutions, online courses used to be a surefire way to increase student enrollment and remain relevant throughout change. As the Digital Age began, online courses were a great way for institutions to engage different types of potential students, students who might have otherwise not been interested in said institution. This proved especially true for non-traditional students looking to balance both work and education with personal matters. Those days are, however, long gone. Offering online courses isn’t a selling point anymore; it’s the bare minimum for any serious institution of higher education.

Many online education programs are failures across the board for many of their enrolled students. Whereas offering an online course might have been sufficient in the early 2000s, potential students today have many more options. Moreover, they likely don’t fully know what they seek in an online course. They will, however, know when their expectations have not been met. A poor experience with one online course will likely have ramifications for the student’s entire vision of the institution, not just the course, instructor, or department. Merely offering some online courses is not a viable option anymore; the courses offered need to meet some standards for the students in question.

Instructional Connections has identified several everyday demands prospective students bring to their online courses and has compiled those requirements for your review. By integrating these into your methodology, your institution of higher education can dramatically improve your student experience and take your online education to the next level.

Timely Communication 

Life happens, and delays will occur. Students appreciate this fact when interfacing with their course instructors. However, unnecessary delays in instructor responses to queries or routine class questions can be grating for even the most patient student. Unfortunately, too many instructors are bogged down and juggling too much, often making timely communication impossible. 

Support

Proper support for online students can mean a variety of different things. Library resources and tutors can be helpful here. However, many potential students expect more significant support from instructors, class TAs, and other professionals than the course can provide. Things like open office hours and hosted study sessions might not fit into the week-to-week of your instructors, but they likely would be helpful to your online students. 

A Positive Technology Experience 

Nothing is worse for an online student than feeling as if their education was impacted negatively by the decision to enroll in an online course. Unfortunately, tech malfunctions are all too common in online classes. These can stem from Wifi and technology issues, but many technical challenges can be caused by the additional administrative work needed to maintain an online course. Timely posting of content, clear instructions on a digital assignment, and as few technical challenges as possible are paramount to the student experience. However, low faculty bandwidth often prevents online courses from running smoothly. 

Assessment

Potential online students want to do more than merely show they memorized the required information. They want to show mastery and talent more meaningfully and frequently. More high-stakes and application-based assessments are great practice for any institution of higher education, but they are handy for online courses. Faculty and course designers must consider this when designing assessments for online programs. 

Enter Instructional Connections

Maintaining a positive student experience in online courses is critical, but it’s often easier said than done for many higher education institutions. Faculty burnout and workload are two challenges that institutions need to address to ensure the best possible student experience. 

Enter instructional Connections. Our Academic Coaches and Virtual Teaching Assistants are your institution’s way to improve your online course experience and keep online students enrolled and successful. Our process is simple. We provide an Academic Coach with the requisite expertise in the field to assist your instructors. 

All our Academic Coaches have Masters in their study area, which lets them quickly relieve your instructor of routine tasks. Elements like posting content, answering routine questions, completing administrative tasks, and grading assessments can quickly move off of your instructor to their Academic Coach. This allows your faculty to focus on higher-level strategic initiatives and add value to the student experience. This model of online educational support services reduces faculty burnout, frees up instructor time, and improves the overall student experience, oftentimes at 20% less instructional delivery costs. 

Call now to schedule your free consultation and learn how our Academic Coaches and Virtual Teaching Assistants can help your institution!