Academic Continuing Education Student’s Experiences of (Online) Teaching

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 4:20 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: From Access to Engagement: Designing Inclusive Learning Environments for Diverse Student Populations (Table 10)

Abstract

This study explores how students in academic continuing education (ACE) experienced online teaching. Results, which are based on a mixed-methods design, including a survey (N = 184) and four focus-group discussions (N=15) at one ACE-specialised university, revealed a great variety of experiences in (online) teaching in line with the heterogeneity of this student population. Findings also reveal that gender, caring responsibilities, and field of study are closely linked to the barriers and difficulties perceived while studying – especially during the pandemic. Results emphasize the important role of educators in shaping online learning experiences and highlight the need of professionalization to meet the needs of ACE students and to enhance (online) teaching in ACE in the future.

Authors

• Corinna Geppert, University for Continuing Education Krems

• Franziska Lessky, University of Innsbruck

• Filiz Keser Aschenberger, University for Continuing Education Krems