Welcome back to EduCast 3000! In this episode, Ryan and Melissa engage with Dr. Trey Martindale, Associate Vice Provost of Online Learning at Middle Tennessee State University.
They discuss the evolution of online learning, the importance of instructional design, and the impact of COVID-19 as a catalyst for growth in online education. Dr. Martindale shares insights on the challenges and opportunities in expanding online programs, the significance of research in online education, and the future of learning in the context of AI advancements.
Why This Conversation Matters
Online learning is essential in today’s dynamic educational landscape as it provides flexible, accessible, and personalized opportunities for a diverse and evolving student body. As learners increasingly balance work, family, and other commitments, online education meets them where they are—geographically, financially, and in terms of their stage in life. It also fosters inclusion by accommodating various learning styles, enabling access for those with disabilities, and addressing the needs of non-traditional students, such as adult learners and career-changers. In a rapidly changing world, online learning equips students with the skills to adapt, collaborate, and thrive in an increasingly digital, global economy.
Dr. Martindale mentioned that about a quarter of what they are doing at MTSU is online. He also shared some of the work and research that is being done to ensure best practices of teaching and learning online while also supporting these learners. Now, we’d love to hear from you!
- What percentage of your learners are taking at least one online course, are full time online, or are living on campus and still taking advantage of online course offerings?
- How are you providing student services for these learners? Do you have a virtual student union?
- In what ways are you providing instructional design support for instructors who are teaching online? And, are you doing any research around the efficacy of your online courses that you can then use to improve the learning experience?
- How do you see AI impacting your online courses?
- What advice would you provide others who are updating their course offerings to better support online learning or who are just getting started?
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Listen to this episode or get caught up on others you might have missed on Spotify or Apple. You can also view the full transcript in our Community.
Let’s keep this dialogue going—it’s not just about listening but building a community where ideas grow. Thanks for tuning in, and we’ll see you next time!
