This spring English Professor Gabrielle Myers lead a study on the online classroom experience of students with learning differences such as dyslexia, ADHD, and auditory processing disorders.
Myers, in an effort to recreate the life changing treatment for dyslexia she received in her childhood, said that the project aims to “create places where people can really thrive and live to their full potential…we can really help students achieve all that they’re capable of achieving.”
The study may show that changes to online classrooms could benefit more than just those with learning differences.
Survey answers reveal that accessibility is only the second biggest reason to take courses online. The biggest reason to go online? Schedule flexibility.
The fully anonymous survey, conducted in online English classes last fall, was answered by 178 students. The survey was mainly multiple choice but offered comment boxes where students could share their thoughts and experiences.
These comments reveal that Delta’s working students want classes that can be taken in sections throughout the day, between making dinner, picking up children from school, and even doing laundry. Online facilitates that.
Myers said success can be found in how professors utilize remote classroom spaces.
“If people [professors] are not keeping the principles of design in mind … and putting the same amount of effort as they would in a face to face class in their online classes, inevitably, the students are not going to be as successful,” said Myers.
In other words, Myers’ study reveals that professors who invest in more clear communication tools, some as simple as numerical lists of assignment steps, could help students with learning differences succeed. Strategies like this could help any student.
Online only student Sofia Rabell who was recently diagnosed with ADHD said that while there are perks to in person classes, “the convenience of an online class is incomparable.”
“They forced me to really deal with some of the hardest aspects of having ADHD, which are regulating my habits, and organizing my schedule, so that I get a lot done but that I don’t get overwhelmed.” Said Rabell.
Some students might be able to take classes fully online, but still others are hybrid.
Some even purposefully choose hybrid, like Ro Schmidt, a Computer Science Major at Delta who takes much of their courses online.
“I prefer online classes for everything except for math courses,” said Schmidt, adding that they feel math classes require more communication between student and professor, such as facial expressions. In online classes Schmit requests only concise instruction and clear deadlines.
“You have to have a lot of discipline to be successful with online classes,” said Schmidt, “You have to have strong time management and motivation or else you’re going to fall behind FAST.”
Falling behind isn’t the only pitfall of online learning.
According to the study, online students can struggle with time management, feeling disconnected from professors and peers and struggling to communicate with professors over email and comments. Some fear forgetting deadlines.
Myers proposes some solutions including, setting firm but reasonable deadlines, responding to emails quickly and often, and posting lessons with both written and verbal (video) instructions, formatted simply with clear and concise details such as numbering and listing steps. Myers even suggests using short form video in place of lengthy lectures.
Schmidt said that in classes where similar strategies have been implemented, it helped to relieve stress surrounding grade-point average concerns.
“I don’t feel much towards homework assignments unless it’s pissing me off,” said Schmidt, who says a good assignment is clear, and makes the work feel manageable.
Rabelle’s wishes for accessibility in the coursework echo the survey’s conclusions.
“Really clear directions in terms of the meticulous step-by-step [process that any given professor ideally would expect their students to follow to ensure their success.” said Rabelle.
The survey suggests students want more from professors online in terms of clarity and connection and attention to new strategies of communication could fulfill that want.
