Collecting These Times

This item originates from American Jewish Life.

Title

Virtually Developing: Exploring the Potential and Pitfalls of Online Professional Development and Adult Learning

Description

Introduction:
During summer and fall 2020, Rosov Consulting engaged in a multifaceted study of 13 Jewish adult learning and professional development programs that shifted their offerings online due to COVID-19 (nine are part of the Jim Joseph Foundation Professional Development Initiative, four are from other Jim Joseph Foundation grantees). In the first stage of our research, we interviewed program provider about the challenges they faced in moving to online learning, the positive “silver linings” of the virtual experience, and the longer-term impacts of reimagining how they do their work. In the second stage, we explored the experiences of and impacts on program participants through a survey of more than 1,600 participants and followup interviews with 14 of them. The programs included both those specifically for educators and Jewish professionals as well as general adult Jewish learning open to all. We sought to understand the personal and professional impacts of online learning; the strengths and limitations of the experience, particularly as compared to inperson learning; and what facilitates and impedes learning through virtual modalities.

Date Created

January 2021

Community

Jim Joseph Foundation

Rosov Consulting

Genre

Research publication

PDF

Language

English