Connecting Adult Learners: The Role of Communication Tools in an Adv MPH Online

Abstract

Higher education institutions need to adapt to new technology and new student demographics; however, this requires careful consideration of communication tools among adult learners. The main focus of this chapter is to examine the need for communication tools, along with asynchronous and synchronous learning activities, and how they contribute to peer social presence amongst adult learners within an online graduate public health program. Student experiences with using Yellowdig and Zoom will be discussed, using data from a survey focus group. Results show that these adult learners were able to perceive impressions of each other and build a community while completing the first year of their graduate program. This chapter extends the findings on student perceptions of technology facilitated social presence within text-centered environments; however, additional research is needed using larger student samples within online graduate public health programs.