Achieving High Touch in High Tech

Abstract

This paper explores how human service learners subjectively experience a web-based approach to learning. The course was a new iteration of an earlier course on enhancing cultural competency and involved a sample size of 72 participants. A course on cultural competency can be a difficult one to deliver via a web-based medium given the potentially powerful emotions and personal issues that it might elicit. Developing a climate of safety to encourage openness and sharing was an important goal for the course. The course was structured to include both individual and group level activities and assignments. In exploring the emotional topography of these learners, we employed an existing list of 23 sensations and examined these in the context of the learners' experiences including course satisfaction.

Key Words:

• Computer assisted learning
• distance education
• emotional responses research
• direct practice
• student satisfaction