24th Annual TCC | Online Conference | April 16-18, 2019

Sustainable Learning, Accessible Technologies, & Diverse Contexts

community

Developing an Online Course: Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism

Session Description
The Hospitality and Tourism (HOST) program at the Hawai’i Community College (HCC) must seek out ways to increase its enrollment while providing quality education to its students. At present, there are no distance education courses available within the HOST curriculum. Many students are located far from either the Hilo (windward) campus or the Palamanui (leeward) campus making commuting difficult and challenging as many potential students do not have or can’t afford the transportation. The availability of an online course would allow for easier access to a post-secondary education thus resulting in increased enrollment for the program and college.

The purpose of this project is to prepare students to enter a career in the hospitality and tourism industry. Modules have been developed to explain the roles and interrelationships of the various travel and tourism sectors, characterize historical and current concepts, understand the impacts that travel and tourism have upon a destination, and be able to identify career opportunities in the industry. Through the use of social networking sites and applications, students will engage in learning activities that apply to real-world situations. This presentation will give you insight into the course framework and an overview of the activities in which the students will participate.

Presenter(s)
Lynn Erdmann
Lynn Erdmann, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawai’i , USA
Lynn Erdmann is a proud alumna of Indiana University’s Tourism, Convention and Event Management program where, since 2016, she has “given back” in the role of associate instructor delivering distance education in “Tourism Geography.” In May 2020, she will complete her M.Ed. from the LTEC program at the University of Hawai’I at Manoa. Until then, she resides on the Big Island where she is busy educating students at Hawai’i Community College in the dual role of Instructor and Program Coordinator for the Hospitality and Tourism Program.
Malia Ah Nee
Malia Ah Nee, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawai’i, USA
Malia Ah Nee is a graduate student in the Learning Design and Technology (LTEC) program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Previously, she obtained her B.A.S in Applied Business and Information Technology (IT) from the University of Hawaii Maui College (UHMC). Malia is currently employed at UHMC as the IT Help Desk manager. She is driven by technology, which motivates her to be an active learner in education.
Session Type
20-Minute LTEC Student Session
Audience
All Audiences

A recording of this presentation is available.
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Creating a sense of community outside the classroom for online college students

Session Description
Online college students often struggle with issues related to isolation based on the inherent nature of online courses. There is extensive research on strategies to help create engagement within the online classroom to help students feel more connected. However, there is limited research on what can be done by faculty, in addition to the academic activity in the online classroom, to help their students feel connected and enhance the learning experience. Research indicates that education outside the online classroom and creating engagement opportunities beyond the classroom are essential to ensure growth for online students throughout their college career (Chapman, 2016).
The goal of this presentation will be to discuss and elicit participant interaction based on the following questions:

  1. What is the importance of creating a sense of community for online students outside of the classroom?
  2. What methods can be used to create this sense of community?
  3. What social media outlets are best suited for engaging online students outside of the classroom and what are the implications?

As part of this discussion, the authors will share some specific options for connection opportunities that faculty could incorporate, such as Facebook groups and an accountability partner program. In addition to faculty-initiated programs, they will discuss other strategies which could be part of a University-wide program including group study sessions, alumni mentoring programs, and internal avenues for networking and group discussions. As Full-Time Faculty at one of the largest distance education universities in the United States, the authors have researched this topic as part of an action research project connected to implementing opportunities for students to connect and engage outside of the online classroom.

Presenter(s)
Tracy Crawford
Tracy Crawford, University of Phoenix, Carlsbad, CA, USA
Tracy Crawford earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business at Illinois Wesleyan University in 1996. She also has a Master’s degree in Education – Curriculum & Instruction/Adult Education Distance Learning and completed a Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Education Program, where she earned her Elementary teaching certificate and English as a Second Language endorsement. Tracy taught at the Elementary level for several years before transitioning into higher education and has now been in the field of Higher Education for 15 years. Currently, Tracy is a full-time faculty member at University of Phoenix in the College of General Studies teaching a foundational skills for college success course and critical thinking for Associates and Bachelors students. Tracy also facilitates faculty trainings for the University of Phoenix.
Jennifer Romano
Jennifer Romano, University of Phoenix, Daphne, AL, USA
Jennifer Romano is a graduate of Auburn University, receiving her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Mass Communication. Upon graduating she became an adjunct professor at The University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama, followed by a full time instructor at Faulkner State Community College (now Coastal Community College) in Gulf Shores, Alabama. She taught communication and public speaking courses at both colleges. Then in 2007 Jennifer became a full time faculty member at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Alabama, followed by Herzing University in Birmingham, Alabama; she was an instructor of mass communication, public speaking and humanities course. In 2013 Jennifer became a full time faculty member at University of Phoenix, where she is currently working as a full time instructor of General Studies and Humanities (critical thinking) courses. She has over 15 years of experience with online instruction and LOVES being an instructor at University of Phoenix!
Lauren Critchley
Lauren Critchley, University of Phoenix, Bonaire, GA, USA
Lauren Critchley earned her Bachelor of Arts in English at Brigham Young University in 1994 and her Master of Arts in English at University of North Florida (UNF) in 1997. While completing graduate school at UNF, Lauren taught developmental reading and writing at Florida Gateway College in Lake City, Florida. After graduating from UNF, Lauren accepted a full-time faculty position at the University of West Georgia. Lauren has since taught writing, speech, reading, and literature courses at Richland Community College in Illinois, Roane State Community College in Tennessee, and Brigham Young University in Idaho. In 2013, Lauren accepted a full-time teaching position with University of Phoenix where she currently teaches introductory writing courses along with college skills and critical thinking courses. Lauren has over 20 years of experience teaching in higher education with 8 of those years in online education.
Session Type
20-Minute Session
Audience
All Audiences

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Critical Digital Pedagogy and Instructional Approaches in Online Relationship Education

Session Description
In recent years, rates of intercultural and interracial marriages have increased more than fivefold from 3% in 1967 to 17% in 2015. This session explores instructional design considerations for providing relationship education online to intercultural and interracial couples. Principles in digital critical pedagogy are introduced and discussions raised for how to develop culturally responsive and inclusive learning experiences in online contexts.

Critical digital pedagogy is a developing field influenced by the work of bell hooks and others in critical and engaged pedagogy, and which explores these topics in the context of digital learning environments. Critical digital pedagogy is concerned with open learning developed in community and collaboration; the inclusion and participation of diverse, international voices; the truths and perspectives that emerge from a diversity of voices; and the applicability of this information beyond the walls of traditional higher education (Stommel, 2014). Relationship education focuses on increasing knowledge and building skills such as communication and conflict resolution that are important for individuals, couples, and families to establish and maintain healthy relationships. While more culturally appropriate education materials are now available in the field of relationship education, there are few resources focused on the unique experiences and needs of intercultural and interracial couples.

Presenter(s)
Kristina Ordanza
Kristina Ordanza, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, California, USA

  • Graduate student in Instructional Design & Technology at California State University, Fullerton
  • 10 years of experience working in higher education
  • Currently works with the California Conservation Corps as a Career Pathways & Transition Navigator
  • Research interests: role of relationships in learning, diversity & inclusion in adult learning environments
Session Type
20-Minute Session
Audience
All Audiences

A recording of this presentation is available.
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from this session by clicking the button on the right.