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"Once a student demonstrates that he or she is committed to learning, we partner with students in every way possible. Our support system is one of the best features of AIU Online."
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AIU Online: What is your professional and educational background?
Dr. JH: I have a Bachelor's degree in English from Furman University, a Master's degree in English from Georgia State University and a doctorate in Education, with a specialization in Human Resource Development, from Vanderbilt University's Peabody College. I can really relate to my students because I earned my degree part-time while working and attending to my family responsibilities.
Professionally, I have spent most of my career in business at various organizations. Much of my background is in Human Resource Development where I developed and taught many business and organizational development courses. I also have a unique background in education—specifically, distance education. I worked as the Director of Distance Education at Belmont University in Nashville, where we developed and launched distance learning courses that paralleled courses in the traditional curricula.
AIU Online: When did you start teaching?
Dr. JH: I started teaching about 30 years ago. I taught English as I was earning my Master's degree at Georgia State University. I've also taught and developed courses such as management and leadership at the corporate level and have continued to teach English courses at various brick and mortar schools. I also taught business courses while at Belmont University.
AIU Online: It sounds like you have a passion for teaching...did you always want to become a teacher?
Dr. JH: Yes, definitely! It was one of my objectives even when I was earning my baccalaureate degree.
AIU Online: How did you hear about AIU Online and when did you start teaching here?
Dr. JH: About two years ago. I was on an advisory council that developed the program curriculum for the Master of Education program. Once the degree program was developed, I then moved into a teaching position. I was one of the first to be hired for this program and really enjoy teaching online and interacting with the students.
AIU Online: Specifically what classes do you teach?
Dr. JH: I currently am teaching Cognitive Approaches to Learning and Principles of Instructional Design.
AIU Online: Now that you have been on both ends of the spectrum, what would you say are some of the differences between teaching online and at brick and mortar schools?
Dr. JH: I think that there is a world of difference. In the brick and mortar setting, the experience and the courses are pretty routine, more confined and more process-oriented. Online provides a much different atmosphere because we have many students from various backgrounds working at the same time they are going to school. Students have special interests and reasons for being at this University, so I have found this group to be much more committed to completing their degree than some students at a traditional school. They tend to focus more on practical applications of what they are learning verses going through a curriculum in order to get a degree.
AIU Online: I see...will you please explain what some of those differences are between students earning their degree online and those at brick and mortar schools?
Dr. JH: I believe the big difference is the maturity level. Many of the students at AIU Online are here for professional purposes. They have very specific reasons why have they decided to attend this University and what they want to achieve as a result of earning the degree in terms of their career goals. This is not usually the case at the brick and mortar schools where you have many undergraduates who have come straight out of high school.
AIU Online: What kind of students do you find enrolled in AIU Online programs?
Dr. JH: I've found that many of our students already work in the area in which they are earning their degree. For the Master of Education program, our program appeals to three distinct groups. First, we have the traditional academic educator who teaches at the K-12 or higher education level. Second, we have individuals such as corporate trainers who are interested in the application of technology in the educational process. The third group consists of members of the military who are military trainers or who may be transitioning into educational positions.
Our students come with varying backgrounds and experience and it helps everyone because students can learn from each other and from the course material.
AIU Online: How have the courses been structured to ensure that students can directly apply what has been learned in the classroom?
Dr. JH: Remember, many of our students already have some experience in the areas in which they are studying. As a result, they not only relate what they already know to the coursework from their daily interactions at work, but they are also able to apply and integrate what they have learned in the classroom to their work practices. Our programs were designed with career objectives and immediate application deliverables in mind. We even have instances where students bring to group discussions, challenges they are facing in the work place and if it is applicable, we address it in the course and this makes learning at AIU Online even more practical.
AIU Online: What can students expect to gain from the M.Ed. program?
Dr. JH: I think that there are several key things that students will take away from this program. The first one is the ability to learn online and to use online tools. Most of my students do not have experience taking courses online and therefore, they learn this through the duration of the course. Through this, they are able to have more self confidence in their ability to use technology to further their purposes and goals. Another lesson students will learn is how to adapt materials that they have been using for years in a traditional classroom, into an online format. They start to conceive a plan of how to "repurpose" existing lesson plans and exercises.
AIU Online: That's an interesting outlook...what kind of person would you say makes a good online student?
Dr. JH: One who is dedicated to earning their degree and realizes its value. At AIU Online, we encourage self development and self directedness. I believe student success rates increase once they have the attitude that they can do things and learn independently and that they can control their own learning process. While the technology we use at AIU Online is very student-friendly, I believe that, to some extent, a good online student is one who is comfortable interacting with a computer. Finally, successful online students have vision and purpose when they start their degree and are committed to seeing their vision come to fruition.
AIU Online: Why should anyone consider earning their degree at AIU Online?
Dr. JH: There are a number of things that we offer at AIU Online that makes us unique. First and foremost, we are a student-centered University and are committed to providing students with the support they need to succeed at this University. We have what I would consider to be an unusual and unique approach to ensuring a student's success. Once a student demonstrates that he or she is committed to learning, we partner with students in every way possible. Our support system is one of the best features of AIU Online.
Secondly, we have an excellent faculty. AIU Online professors not only have advanced degrees, but they really are experts in the areas they teach and bring relevant, situation-specific experience to each course for the benefit of the students.
AIU Online: Do you think that students lose anything because of the accelerated pace of our programs?
Dr. JH: No, I don't think students lose anything at all. I believe there is more of a development of self-regulation and self sufficiency and I think that goes above and beyond what one would learn in a brick and mortar institution.
AIU Online: What kind of feedback have you been getting from students about the program, our technology and/or the Virtual Campus?
Dr. JH: Students often let me know how much they enjoy the program. We hear from students that they like the format. Many of them like the pace of the program because they can go ahead and focus and concentrate on the program without having the 12 or 14 week lag time for a semester. It gives them hope that they can accomplish their goal.
The students dedicate so much of their time on the learning process and it causes them to reevaluate their lives. Many have indicated that they enjoy having everything online because of the flexibility and convenience it allows.
AIU Online: Have you found that your students participate in the chat sessions?
Dr. JH: Yes, students who attend the chat sessions have specific questions that they need answers to. They can get clarification on assignments, more information about a lecture and more. Within the chat sessions, we discuss concepts that we are talking about in that particular week.
We also use the CommonGround™ platform for our chat sessions. I must say that it is one of the best technological tools available at our University for student-to-professor and student-to-student interaction. With CommonGround™, students can, in real time, hear my voice as I answer questions and respond to comments. Students really like this as it makes the session that much more engaging. The fact that I can simply respond by using my voice makes the pace of the chat sessions move faster and students appreciate the personalization that the streaming audio provides to the discussions.
AIU Online: That really sounds like a fascinating and engaging tool. I'm glad students are enjoying its capabilities...what would say is the future of online learning?
Dr. JH: I see unlimited growth for online learning! I believe this to be especially true for the next generation students who have spent much of their lives using computers. The next logical step would be for them to adapt to an online learning environment and I think they will do so very quickly as more and more educators start to blend technology into their teaching practices.
AIU Online: Do you have any final thoughts?
Dr. JH: AIU Online certainly has a unique program and a great faculty. I believe this is one of the best educational institutions you will find in the education industry. Our faculty is very comfortable in this constructivist role of mentor, coach and facilitator. Our students are successfully integrating into the online learning world, and are taking from the University, new knowledge, new tools, and new methods that they can apply wherever they go.
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