Effective utilization of academic coaches for instructional support in online courses

Quality course management is integral to establishing a thriving online learning environment. Increasing demand for online learning has resulted in different approaches to online course management. The academic coaching model is an approach that provides instructional support for learners within online courses. This research examines the attributes, behaviors, preferences, and attitudes of online faculty who use academic coaches as members of an instructional support team. The aim was to identify effective strategies or best practices for successfully integrating the academic coach team model within online courses. A sequential exploratory mixed method research design was employed, and seven themes emerged: coach selection process, coach-student ratio, communication between coaches and faculty, responsibilities of coaches, student communication, grading, and benefits and risks of using a coach. Results are presented herein that offer interested faculty guidance about using academic coaches as members of an online instructional support team.