The 2019 Department of Defense Survey of Active Duty Spouses found that 41% of spouses want to enroll in education or training. Barriers to enrollment included cost, family responsibilities, inconvenient hours and/or locations, conflicts with work schedules, challenges arising from servicemember deployments, and more. The most recent 2021 Department of Defense Survey of Active Duty Spouses revealed that only 31% of spouses had a bachelor's degree, while 22% had undergraduate credits.

Online education programs provide flexible learning experiences for adult learners. Coursework can be delivered in an online asynchronous format. Spouses who enroll in asynchronous courses have the flexibility they need to complete a degree. Online educators also have a role in making flexible, supportive learning experiences for military spouses. To assist military-affiliated learners, online educators can engage in the following practices in their courses.

Online Educators Can Learn Military Acronyms and Their Definitions

While military deployments are widely recognized, it is equally important for online educators to understand the acronyms TDY and PCS, which are commonly used by military families. Much like a deployment, a TDY assignment is a challenging time for a spouse, as a servicemember must leave their home installation for a specified period. PCS is a process of moving from one military installation to another. These moves require months of planning and time to travel from one duty station to another. Military spouses may establish new routines to adapt to TDY and PCS changes. Educators can provide a supportive learning environment for spouses when they understand these acronyms and the processes they represent. A spouse may contact their online instructor during PCS travel to request an extension on an assignment. Communication is more efficient when the instructor understands the PCS process and its significance.

Consider Free Learning Materials When Building Courses

The 2019 survey indicated that cost was a barrier to higher education for military spouses. The 2021 survey found that 21% of spouses were unemployed. The most recent data (2022-2023) from the National Center for Education Statistics indicate that the average cost of textbooks and supplies for full-time students in four-year degree programs (public and private) was $1,212. Given these statistics, instructors can advocate for and create courses that utilize free and readily accessible learning materials. For instance, using electronic academic journal articles available through the institution's library.

Create Course Schedules with Weekend Flexibility

Instructors should have an organized system for assigning due dates to assignments. Readings and assessments can be scheduled at regular intervals. For instance, instructors can structure a course to present information in weekly units. A unit can begin on a Monday and conclude the following Monday evening. Additionally, instructors can designate a specific weekday for all assignment deadlines. For example, instructors can design a course so that all assignment deadlines fall on Monday evenings at a set time. Incorporating the weekends into a course schedule assists all spouses and permits time for employment and childcare responsibilities. The 2021 survey results show that 69% of spouses have at least one child under 18 living at home. Spouses can utilize weekends to complete assignments when their servicemember is home to assist with childcare and other responsibilities.

Explore Alternatives to Timed Exams

Online exams can be implemented in a course in many ways. Exams may require a time limit, a proctor, and a specific completion date depending on academic policies. Spouses may face challenges with online courses that rely heavily on exams for assessment. The 2021 survey indicated that approximately one-third of military spouses had a PCS in the previous year. For students in the process of a PCS, issues may arise when taking a timed exam. Issues include internet availability, finding a quiet space, and childcare availability. Instructors can support adult learners by utilizing assessments that students can complete in stages over several weeks. Examples include research papers, recorded presentations, case studies, and more. These assessments are great for learning since students can receive feedback from the instructor after each stage is completed. Assessments themselves are also learning opportunities. For example, research papers typically require many hours of inquiry into academic sources.

Advise Students to Use Course Scheduling Tools

According to the 2021 survey, 74% of spouses reported that their servicemember deployed for over 30 days. With deployments, TDY assignments, and PCS changes, spouses are subject to frequent schedule adjustments. Today's learning management systems have scheduled announcements, time zone adjustments, calendar reminders, and more to help students stay on track with their coursework. Instructors can use scheduled announcements and calendar alerts to remind learners about important course dates, such as the withdrawal deadline. They can also use the announcement feature to inform students about the option to adjust their time zone. Military spouses who PCS during a course may find this feature helpful as they adjust to a new time zone.

Remember Each Adult Online Learner's Situation Differs

While each military spouse student's situation may differ, it is important that instructors recognize that online environments often require adjustments to support learning. Online instructors can optimize online education by participating in the course design process and considering the tips described above for adult learners. Instructors can reflect on their experiences and share suggestions for improvement with their institution. Instructors can learn about their students' needs by encouraging feedback on the course and its design. Overall, online educators have a role in creating flexible learning experiences for today's adult online learners, including military spouse students.

Article Topics

Military Friendly Institutions Serving Military in HigherEd Veterans Academic Success

Republish this article for free. We want to make it easier for you to share knowledge and creativity, and encourage you to reuse our articles under a Creative Commons license.