Building an Adult Learning Community While Converting an In-Person Degree Program to an Online Format: A Case Study in Strategies and Lessons Learned

Abstract

This case study examines the transition of a residential professional graduate degree program in educational leadership at a major research university to an online learning model. The case incorporates the observations and field notes of the program director and the inaugural online course instructor, along with survey data collected from students, investigating the opportunities and challenges of converting an established, community-rich, in-person professional degree program to an online model, with a focus on maintaining a strong sense of community. The theoretical framework and relevant scholarship are initially considered, followed by the case. Specific instructional strategies for building a sense of community and the affiliated evidence of the case are also discussed. The chapter concludes with key recommendations for how instructors and university program administrators can partner to design effective environments that foster engagement and meaningful learning experiences for online professional graduate students, contributing to long-term benefits for the institution.