Achieving the Dream

Virtual webinar: Strategies to Support Self-Directed Learning in Online College Courses

College educators, instructional designers, academic leaders, and student success professionals are invited to join a public webinar at 3pm ET on July 16 to explore a new Self-Directed Learning (SDL) Instructional Model, an evidence-based approach designed to strengthen student learning, engagement, and success in online and hybrid courses.

Developed by the Postsecondary Teaching with Technology Collaborative – a federally funded research, development, and capacity-building partnership between SRI, the Community College Research Center at Columbia University's Teachers College, Achieving the Dream, and nine colleges and universities – the model provides practical, flexible instructional strategies to support students in managing their remote learning more effectively.

Centering on key dimensions of self-directed learning, including motivation, planning, reflection, help-seeking, and growth mindset, the model is the result of five years of research and collaboration between the Collaborative, educators, administrators, and students in community colleges and broad-access four-year institutions across the U.S.
The free virtual webinar, led by Collaborative researchers and student and faculty pilot study participants from Odessa College, will offer a detailed exploration of the instructional model, an overview of its accompanying implementation and campus resource guides, and an interactive Q&A.

Thursday, July 16, 2026, 3 - 4pm ET
Registration: https://events.zoomgov.com/ev/Aj9WS2syt5M-tQPUIFQJnneK_cCd8gQ2yGQOUiFMFQ6C0yEqd3If~Ai6RhOWHcxyct67FGgdS4tubckYKIFit-eRSaj47DRbrOeTfsD_wxgx8jw

At Louisiana State University Eunice, a bold focus on digital skills, workforce alignment, and community partnerships is helping rural students connect to new economic opportunities while transforming the future of the region.

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Digital skills, tangible opportunities at LSU-Eunice - Achieving the Dream Louisiana State University Eunice (LSUE) occupies a unique space in higher education: It’s the only two-year institution in the LSU system and has the highest transfer rate in the state. Students who transfer to four-year universities from LSUE have high rates of success, making the college a powe...

Through our Teaching That Transforms spotlights, we feature faculty who are creating meaningful learning experiences that help students see themselves — and their potential — in the classroom. In this Q&A, Thomas King, professor of communication and theatre and program coordinator for theatre at Southwest Tennessee Community College, shares how his approach to teaching builds connection, encourages ownership of learning, and helps students recognize what they are capable of achieving.

Read more: https://achievingthedream.org/thomas-king-southwest-tn/