Three tips for creating an online course for nontraditional student populations

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Education Technology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a rapid shift from in-person to online learning environments.
• The University of Minnesota's Erosion and Stormwater Management Certification Program faced challenges with its established workshop format.

Purpose of the Study:

• To share practical strategies for developing successful online courses.
• To address the unique needs of adult learners in remote educational settings.
• To provide guidance based on the experience of transitioning to asynchronous online learning.

Main Methods:

• Transitioning 20 canceled in-person workshops to asynchronous online course sections.
• Educating 1,233 adult learners who were new to remote learning.
• Documenting the process and challenges of this educational pivot.

Main Results:

• Successful adaptation of a certification program to an online format.
• Identification of key considerations for engaging adult learners in remote settings.
• Gathering of practical tips for educators creating online classes for non-traditional students.

Conclusions:

• Effective online course design is crucial for non-traditional student populations.
• The program's transition provides a model for other institutions facing similar circumstances.
• Lessons learned can inform future online education strategies in environmental management and beyond.