Online Learning and Cocurricular Programs: Improving Student Engagement Using D2L Within the Arnold Mitchem Fellows Program

Abstract

The Arnold Mitchem Fellows Program (AMF) is a co-curricular, undergraduate research program where first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students learn about basic research skills in preparation for future undergraduate research opportunities and graduate school outside of their traditional for credit classes. This academic year-long program culminates in students crafting a literature review on a research topic that interests them. The program incorporated Desire2Learn (D2L), which is an online learning platform used in higher education classes, into the program with the goal of strengthening student engagement. Using this technology allowed them to engage their students in asynchronous learning, which Hiltz and Turoff (2002) define as online learning that students can engage on their own time.