Andragogy & Online Learning: Towards a Systematic Instruction Framework

This dissertation study investigated the impact of the Internet-Based Adult Instruction (Net.Al) framework with regard to instructional development, learning interaction, and institutional engagement in the context of adult education. Net.Al was developed over a three-year span. It is meant to offer a systematic framework or guide to the development of Internet-based adult instruction and/or training.

A participatory action research approach was used to uncover relevant teaching approaches, learning strategies and technical considerations involved in Internet-Based instruction. In depth interviews were held to understand the ways in which instructors manipulate the available features of Instructional Management System (IMS) in conjunction with the Net.Al model to create, review, synthesize, communicate and assess course-related contents.

Results indicate that there is a strong need for a viable framework that will serve as a guide to instructors, facilitators, and instructional designers in the development and roll-out of Internet-Based adult instruction. In addition, the Net.Al model developed and evaluated through this dissertation study offers normative, extendable and repeatable approaches for use in the online learning space.