Session 7

Title: Hook ‘em, Hold ‘em & Help ‘em!!
Strategies to Attract and Motivate the Distance Learning Student

Session Description:

Our organization moved from delivery of a residential educational and training program to distance learning. In doing so, we were faced with new challenges in attracting students to our program (hooking them), sustaining student interest and satisfaction (holding them), and fostering student success through completion of the program (helping them). Our strategies have resulted in a waiting list of students eager to participate in our program, a tripling of the student satisfaction rate, and well above average completion rates! This presentation will share some selected strategies we use to achieve these results.

Our “hook” strategies will focus on how we use distance learning technologies to create a buzz about the program and generate applicants. To “hold” our students interest, selected strategies will include the use of video hosts to personalize content, increased feedback opportunities, trivia to reinforce key teaching points, use of podcasts, and presentation style. The final portion of the presentation will focus on how we “help” students succeed through the use of email strategies, checklists and “survival guides”, language of choice options, and testing strategies.

Overall, this session will present a host of strategies we have found useful to increase student rapport at a distance and tailor the content to the individual learning styles. This session will be of interest to those who are involved in both the design and delivery of innovative distance learning strategies. Although not the focus of our presentation, technical staff will also be on hand to answer any associated questions regarding “how we did it”.

Presenters: Terry Smith, Peter Hatton

Terry Smith is part of a team responsible for overall program management and curriculum development of a professional development program offered through the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Studies (CFSAS).

He holds an undergraduate degree (BMASc) from the Royal Military College and an MBA from Edinburgh Business School. Terry has over 15 years of experience in developing and delivering both civilian and military training and professional development programs.

 

Peter Hatton is another member of the curriculum development team for the professional development program at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Studies. He has a BA from the University of Manitoba and an MA from Royal Military College. He has been teaching and developing lessons for 15 years, and has developed curriculum for both in-house courses and through DL.