Harnessing Online Teaching Tools to Empower Nontraditional Students

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 | 9:45AM–10:30AM CT | EDUCAUSE Commons, Teaching & Learning Central, Poster Area
Session Type: Poster Session
Delivery Format: Poster
Nontraditional students are typically 25 years or older, financially independent, and juggle multiple responsibilities. Whether related to economic changes, new skill requirements from employers, or a desire for self-improvement, these students are returning to higher education in pursuit of their degrees. Designing a conducive, synchronous online learning environment that meets nontraditional student needs requires adaptability and the strategic use of online teaching tools. This session aims to share practical online course design tips for developing a conducive, synchronous online learning environment for the nontraditional learner. We share ways practitioners can harness online teaching tools to help students feel a sense of belonging as they juggle work, family, finances, and school. We highlight how practitioners can incorporate students’ lived experiences into assigned work, utilize institutions’ teaching tools to enhance collaboration, and foster connection to librarian resources to support students’ academic and personal growth.

Presenters

  • Khosi Lunga

    Learning Technology Specialist l Instructional Designer, University of Tennessee System Office

  • Rosie Sasso

    Teaching & Learning Technologies Support Manager, The University of Tennessee

Resources & Downloads

  • Poster PDF for Harnessing Online Teaching Tools to Empower Nontraditional Students session

    Updated on 10/14/2025