Empowering change together: Student perspectives on quality online, digital, and blended learning - Report overview

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Sarah

Empowering change together: Student perspectives on quality online, digital, and blended learning analyzes what quality digital learning means to students. Drawing on recent Online Learning Consortium conference panels centered on student voices, the report identifies seven core elements, including moving beyond face-to-face replication, taking collaborative action on DEI, keeping human connection central, designing intentionally, structuring for success, and supporting instructor development. It culminates in recommendations for digital learning leaders, instructors, and support staff.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages31

Reading Time1 h 18 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Overview: Elements of Quality Learning

Getting Beyond Face-to-Face Replication

Taking Collaborative Action on DEI

Keeping Humans and Connection at the Center of Learning

Designing Intentionally and Deeply

Structuring Learning Experiences for Success

Supporting Instructional Development

Nurturing a Culture of Belonging

Conclusion

Recommendations for Digital Learning Leaders, Instructors, & Support Staff

References

Authors Nicole L. Weber, Ph.D. Dr. Weber is an assistant professor of educational foundations at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where she coordinates and teaches in the Instructional Design and Learning Technology Master’s Degree Program. Kristen Gay, Ph.D. Kristen Gay is the Director of Research for the Online Learning Consortium. She cultivates partnerships with educators, sponsors, and practitioners to drive innovative research pertaining to digital, blended, and online learning. Reviewers Angela Gunder, Ph.D. Chief Academic Oﬃcer, Online Learning Consortium Dylan Barth, Ph.D. Assistant Vice President of Learning, Online Learning Consortium Andrew Swindell, Ph.D. Educational Researcher and Publishing Coordinator, Online Learning Consortium Recommended Citation Weber, N. L. & Gay, K. (2024) . Empowering change together: Student perspectives on quality online, digital, and blended learning. Online Learning Consortium. The Online Learning Consortium About the Online Learning Consortium The Online Learning Consortium (OLC) is a collaborative community of education leaders and innovators dedicated to advancing quality digital teaching and learning experiences designed to reach and engage the modern learner—anyone, anywhere, anytime. OLC inspires innovation and quality through an extensive set of resources, including best-practice publications, quality benchmarking, leading-edge instruction, community-driven conferences, practitioner-based and empirical research, and expert guidance. The growing OLC community includes faculty members, administrators, trainers, instructional designers, and other learning professionals, as well as educational institutions, associations, and industry partners. Learn more at [onlinelearningconsortium.org](onlinelearningconsortium.org). About the OLC Research Center The OLC’s Research Center is a go-to source for original, evidence-based research on digital learning trends, innovations, and eﬀective practices. We create community and knowledge around quality online, blended, and digital learning, and we position the dimensions of diversity, equity, and inclusion as a touchstone for all of t he work that we do in service to our community and the ﬁeld. Our research is driven by community priorities and ﬁeld-wide trends and seeks to provide cutting-edge, actionable information for educators and practitioners. Our publications cover a range of genres, from peer-reviewed journal articles to edited collections, to reports and playbooks. Our premier journal, Online Learning, is ranked among the top 3% of all open-access journals in the ﬁeld of education. The OLC Press, the oﬃcia l publishing imprint of the Online Learning Consortium, oﬀers titles on leading-edge topics in online, blended, and digital learning, with works available in printed and digital formats. To learn more and read our newest publications, visit the Research Center website. The Online Learning Consortium Contents Executive Summary 5 Introduction 7 Overview: Elements of Quality Learning 9 Elements of Quality Learning 11 Getting Beyond Face-to-Face Replication 11 Taking Collaborative Action on DEI 12 Keeping Humans and Connection at the Center of Learning 15 Designing Intentionally and Deeply 17 Structuring Learning Experiences for Success 19 Supporting Instructional Development 21 Students Want Faculty to Embrace the Messiness of the Learning Process 22 Nurturing a Culture of Belonging 23 Students Want Belonging to Cultivate Community 24 Conclusion 25 Recommendations for Digital Learning Leaders, Instructors, & Support Staff 27 Leaders 27 Instructors 27 Instructional Support Staff 29 References 29 The Online Learning Consortium Executive Summary What does quality digital learning look like from a student perspective? How do students think quality digital learning can best center DEI principles? With these driving questions at the center of ou

FAQs

What driving questions guide the report?

The report asks what quality digital learning looks like from a student perspective and how students believe quality should center DEI principles.

Which seven elements of quality digital learning are identified?

The report identifies seven elements: going beyond face-to-face replication; collaborative DEI action; keeping humans and connection at the center; intentional and deep design; structuring learning experiences for success; supporting instructional development; and nurturing a culture of belonging.

How does the report describe students’ expectations for learning design and support?

Students emphasize meaningful learning experiences, flexibility and personalization, clear expectations and routines, and opportunities for instructors to receive training in online instruction and to leverage new engagement and feedback methods.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Sarah