2. “Learner support addresses the support resources made available to students taking the course.
Such resources may be accessible within or external to the course environment. Specifically, learner
support resources address a variety of student services.”
(Blackboard Exemplary Course Program Rubric:
https://www.blackboard.com/getdoc/7deaf501-4674-41b9-b2f2-
554441ba099b/2012-Blackboard-Exemplary-Course-Rubric.aspx)
3. "Learner support in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) refers to the meeting of needs that all
learners have because they are central to high quality learning - guidance about course choice,
preparatory diagnosis, study skills, access to group learning in seminars and tutorials, and so on.
These are the elements in systems of learner support that many practitioners see as essential for
effective provision of ODL."
(Thorpe, M. (2001). Rethinking Learner Support: the challenge of collaborative
online learning. SCROLLA Symposium on Informing Practice in Networked
Learning. Glasgow, Scotland. Retrieved February 10, 2003 from:
http://www.dice.education.ed.ac.uk/scrolla/resources/s1/thorpe_paper.html)
4. Learner support can include:
• Orientation to the course
• Orientation to the Learning Management System (LMS)
• Presentation of institutional policies and available resources
• Introduction to the instructor
• Explanation of expectations
• Opportunities for providing and receiving feedback
• Supportive software
• Technical accessibility
• Accommodations for disabilities