Learning design for holistic student formation

What is it about?

Can fully online study offer a holistic and formational learning experience for students? This study looked at student experiences in fully asynchronous online courses and identified many design elements and pedagogies that were effective in contributing to holistic formation of students. We suggest that including such design elements and pedagogies in online courses can improve holistic formational outcomes for students.

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Why is it important?

Holistic formation is important in disciplines like theology, pyschology, social work, medical professions or teacher education. Courses that prepare people for these relational professions need to not only address cognitive learning goals but also develop character and cultivate relational and leadership capacities. Cultivating such capacities is recognised to be more challenging in online learning contexts. This study provides evidence-based examples of online design strategies to support holistic student formation.