Inside Out Design – Connecting with the Hearts and Minds of Adult Online Learners during the COVID-19 Pandemic

PRESENTERS: Sasha CROWLEY and Jennifer GOOD

“They may forget what you said — but they will never forget how you made them feel” (as cited in Evans, 1976).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for creating connection and community has never been greater. As instructors and institutions, it is vital to act with compassion, grace, and understanding as we interact and support our students during this challenging time. During the COVID-19 pandemic, adult learners, who are often required to sharpen skills or learn new skills altogether, may find an online learning environment an especially challenging and vulnerable experience (Shuck, Albornoz, & Winberg, 2013).

As a result, supporting online teaching and learning through an emotionally intelligent approach is essential. By using case studies, a team of faculty course designers will explore how to effectively use emotional intelligence to anticipate affective barriers (e.g., fear of failure, lack of confidence with technology tools, limited time due to demanding schedule, etc.) that may be exacerbated by the new circumstances and challenges we are all facing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Don’t miss this empowering presentation that will help you connect with the hearts and minds of online adult learners!

Participants will learn practical strategies to build emotional connectivity between adult learners and their learning environment, which has been found to promote self-confidence, increase motivation, and encourage taking risks (Pappas, 2017).

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