scholarly journals Student Actions and Community in Online Courses: The Roles Played By Course Length and Facilitation Method

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie Demmans Epp ◽  
Krystle Phirangee ◽  
Jim Hewitt
Keyword(s):  
Sense Of Community ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Interaction Effects ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Student Behaviors ◽  
Teaching Online ◽  
Course Length ◽  
The Relationship

Fostering a strong sense of community among students within online courses is essential to supporting their learning experience. However, there is little consensus about how different facilitation methods influence students’ sense of community or behaviours. This lack of understanding means instructors do not have the information they need to select an appropriate facilitation method when teaching online. This challenge is further complicated by a poor sense of how community building is influenced by the length of an online course. To better understand the relationship between these factors, we explored students’ sense of community across four graduate-level online courses. Two of these courses employed an instructor-led form of facilitation and two employed a peer-led form of facilitation. For each facilitation method, one course lasted an entire term (12 weeks) and the other lasted half a term (6 weeks). This two-by-two between-subjects design enabled the study of both variables and possible interaction effects. The findings revealed students in instructor-facilitated courses experienced a stronger sense of community. Longer courses were also associated with a stronger sense of community, although the relationship was weaker than that of facilitation. No interaction effects were detected between facilitation method and course length. Follow-up analyses examined the relationship between facilitation style, course length, and a set of twelve student behaviors (e.g., note writing, note reading, and replying). The results revealed that both facilitation style and course length were associated with differences in the length of students’ notes, the grade level of their text, and the frequency of their replies.  Collectively, these findings offer evidence that both facilitation style and course length are related to students’ sense of community and the behaviors they exhibit online. 

Quality of learning experience, student satisfaction and perceived overall experience in the COVID-19 context

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Venugopal Prabhakar Gantasala ◽  
Swapna Bhargavi Gantasala ◽  
Tareq Na'el Al Tawil ◽  
Prerana Prasad
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Undergraduate Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Medical Programs

PurposeThe intention for this study was to explore any relationship that might exist between quality of learning experience (QLE), the second construct student satisfaction (SS) and the third construct perceived overall experience (POE) among undergraduate students within the higher education context. This study also attempts to explain the path direction between QLE, SS and POE.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers utilized structural equation modeling to analyze the variables considered for this study – QLE, SS and POE and for hypotheses testing. Respondents for this study were medical students' coordinators of the undergraduate level of medical colleges in the 28 states of India. Data collected for the study were possible by utilizing a questionnaire that was emailed to these student coordinators. The emailing effort returned 198 (n) filled questionnaires (complete) representing 198 institutions offering undergraduate-level medical programs out of a total of 542 institutions that offer undergraduate medical programs.FindingsFindings from this study confirm the relationship between QLE with SS, and PLE. Interestingly, the findings established a significant relationship between SS and POE.Practical implicationsDecision-makers and administrators of higher education institutions (HEIs) can utilize the findings from this study to focus on strengthening important elements of QLE in ways that positively impact SS and POE of students taking online courses and program offerings. The study reiterates the importance of course content, course structure, lecture-delivery quality, instructor mentoring and student-instructor interactions on SS and POE. The role of SS in reinforcing confirmation, perceived usefulness, perceived openness of the online courses and the perceived reputation was established. This relationship is key to administrators while they focus on improving SS and building on the institutions' reputation in addition to their efforts to support marketing and enrollments during the pandemic.Originality/valueResearchers in the past have examined the relationships between QLE and another construct of this study – SS. Past research has also examined the relationship between QLE and POE. However, there is not enough research exploring the relationship between SS and POE. This study establishes the relationship between SS and POE that benefits decision-makers in higher education.

scholarly journals Understanding Learner Behaviour in Online Courses through Learning Analytics

2021 ◽  
pp. 381-390
Author(s):  
D. Thammi Raju ◽  
G. R. K. Murthy ◽  
S. B. Khade ◽  
B. Padmaja ◽  
B. S. Yashavanth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Analytics ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Training Needs ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Quality Of Education ◽  
Time Data

Building an effective online course requires an understanding of learning analytics. The study assumes significance in the COVID 19 pandemic situation as there is a sudden surge in online courses. Analysis of the online course using the data generated from the Moodle Learning Management System (LMS), Google Forms and Google Analytics was carried out to understand the tenants of an effective online course. About 515 learners participated in the initial pre-training needs & expectations’ survey and 472 learners gave feedback at the end, apart from the real-time data generated from LMS and Google Analytics during the course period. This case study analysed online learning behaviour and the supporting learning environment and suggest critical factors to be at the centre stage in the design and development of online courses; leads to the improved online learning experience and thus the quality of education. User needs, quality of resources and effectiveness of online courses are equally important in taking further online courses.

scholarly journals Online Student Use of a Proximate Community of Engagement at an Independent Study Program

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Darin R Oviatt ◽  
Charles R. Graham ◽  
Jered Borup ◽  
Randall S Davies
Keyword(s):  
Online Community ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Independent Study ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Study Program ◽  
Online Student ◽  
Effective Interactions ◽  
To Receive

Research has suggested that independent study students may benefit from engaging with a proximate community of engagement (PCE) while completing an online course and that they perceive that such engagement will help them succeed. Independent Study students were surveyed at the completion of their course to assess the level at which they actually interacted with a PCE. Survey findings were confirmed with follow-up interviews with students and their parents to triangulate survey data. Findings revealed that students in the study interacted with a PCE when completing the course. The percentage of students actually engaging with a PCE was lower than the percentages of students from a previous study who perceived that such engagement would be helpful. The research suggests that students made aware of the benefits of a PCE at the beginning of the course, and who receive coaching to curate that community as an assignment in the course, will be more likely to receive the learning benefits of community engagement. Future research to confirm the value of engaging with a proximate community, identifying most helpful and effective interactions, and helping students curate such a community were proposed. Keywords: Independent study, adolescent, online courses, online community, adolescent community of engagement, proximate community of engagement

Preparing Part-Time Instructors for Success in Online Course Development and Teaching

2019 ◽  
pp. 250-297
Author(s):  
Dan Piedra
Keyword(s):  
Continuing Education ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Course Development ◽  
Education Theory ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Online Course Development

Part-time instructors are at the heart of each continuing education operation throughout the world. They bring a wealth of industry experience which adds real-life undertones to classes. However, many lack foundational training in areas of instructional strategies and adult education theory, learning management systems (LMS) and their use in online courses, and course design and development. This chapter will provide an overview of how McMaster University's Centre for Continuing Education has addressed all three of the above areas with a view towards better equipping their part-time instructors in providing a better-quality learning experience. Central to the above is the use of online training and a thorough and highly structured approach to online course development.

Preparing Part-Time Instructors for Success in Online Course Development and Teaching

2021 ◽  
pp. 554-598
Author(s):  
Dan Piedra
Keyword(s):  
Continuing Education ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Course Development ◽  
Education Theory ◽  
Part Time ◽  
Online Course Development

Part-time instructors are at the heart of each continuing education operation throughout the world. They bring a wealth of industry experience which adds real-life undertones to classes. However, many lack foundational training in areas of instructional strategies and adult education theory, learning management systems (LMS) and their use in online courses, and course design and development. This chapter will provide an overview of how McMaster University's Centre for Continuing Education has addressed all three of the above areas with a view towards better equipping their part-time instructors in providing a better-quality learning experience. Central to the above is the use of online training and a thorough and highly structured approach to online course development.

Leveraging Teaching Presence in Online Courses

2016 ◽  
pp. 113-137
Author(s):  
Kun Huang ◽  
Sang Joon Lee ◽  
Ashley Dugan
Keyword(s):  
Community Of Inquiry ◽  
Social Cognitive ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Teaching Presence ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Research And Practice

The Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework has been widely used to guide the research and practice of online courses. In the CoI framework, three essential elements were identified to be critical for a successful online learning experience: social, cognitive, and teaching presences. While the three presences are overlapping and interdependent, teaching presence is known to be key to the creation of a community of inquiry by addressing cognitive and social issues. Starting with an overview of the CoI framework, this chapter mainly focuses on teaching presence and its two dimensions: instructional design and organization and directed facilitation. Specific strategies and examples for each dimension to leveraging teaching presence in a technology-rich online course are presented and described. In addition, a student's learning experience in the course is also shared to provide a student's perspective of the strategies.

scholarly journals Enquiry-Based Learning Online: Course Development and Student Experience of a First-Year Enquiry-Based Learning Seminar

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 129-142
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Murray ◽  
Nathan John Lachowsky ◽  
Natalie Green
Keyword(s):  
Online Courses ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Online Course ◽  
First Year ◽  
Course Development ◽  
Online Distance Education ◽  
Online Course Development ◽  
Online Distance ◽  
The University ◽  
First Year Seminar

Online courses are increasing in popularity while universities are using first-year seminars to address the challenges of large impersonal classes, lack of student engagement, and increased skills development. Could the learning experience and benefits of an in-person first-year seminar be achieved through an online distance education (DE) format? How would students’ experience benefit from an online DE first-year seminar? At the University of Guelph, an online interdisciplinary first-year seminar was developed and offered four times. This essay includes reflections from the faculty instructor and educational developer who co-designed the course, results from pre- and post-course surveys completed by students, and interviews conducted with students.

scholarly journals Undergraduate paramedic students’ experience of paramedic tutors teaching public health

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marguerite Claire Sendall ◽  
Athena Ng ◽  
Laura McCosker
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Teaching Style ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Second Year ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Positive Effect

Introduction Previous studies have shown teaching public health in medical courses improves students’ analytical, problem-solving and communication skills. However, little research to date has shown if public health teaching is helpful to paramedic students. The aim of this study was to examine if having paramedic tutors teach public health had a positive effect on students’ learning and interest in public health. Methods 184 second-year paramedic students at an Australian university completed a printed survey and provided feedback about their learning experience. Students answered multiple choice and open-ended questions about whether their understanding of a public health subject was improved by having a paramedic tutor, and if having different tutors each week affected students’ learning. Results Most students reported their understanding of public health improved when the subject was taught by a paramedic tutor and when paramedic scenario examples were included in teaching. Nearly half felt having different tutors each week made learning difficult. The following themes emerged from student narratives: the relevance of public health to their career; an improved understanding of public health; a realisation about the importance of public health; difficulties presented by an inconsistent teaching style; and poor follow-up and conflicting advice. Conclusion Teaching public health from a paramedic perspective enabled students to understand the relevance of paramedic practice and the role paramedics play in the public health system. Having the same paramedic tutor teaching each week helped students understand the relationship between public health and paramedic practice.

scholarly journals ROLES OF FACULTY IN TEACHING ASYNCHRONOUS UNDERGRADUATE COURSES

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Libby V. Morris ◽  
Haixia Xu ◽  
Catherine L. Finnegan
Keyword(s):  
Online Courses ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Online Environment ◽  
Faculty Roles ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Teaching Online ◽  
Faculty Teaching ◽  
Asynchronous Courses ◽  
Novice Instructors ◽  
The Relationship

Although the availability of web-based education and the number of totally asynchronous courses have grown exponentially in the last decade, the literature on online instruction offers limited empirical guidance to faculty teaching in this environment. Much of the literature is anecdotal and prescriptive, and much more research needs to be done to situate research in practice settings. This study examines faculty roles in the online environment through the perceptions of faculty teaching online and through the archival analysis of their courses. Data were collected through document analysis of ten online courses and from interviews with thirteen instructors in the humanities and social sciences. Using Berge’s typology of online facilitator roles, this study examined the relationship between roles as perceived and enacted by faculty, identified wide variations in faculty roles and participation between experienced and novice instructors, and explored the relationship between faculty workload and perception of facilitation in the online environment. Directions for future research are suggested.

scholarly journals Webs of activity in online course design and teaching

2004 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Peruski ◽  
Punya Mishra
Keyword(s):  
Activity Theory ◽  
Course Design ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Teaching Online ◽  
Work Activities ◽  
Collaborative Activities ◽  
The University ◽  
First Time

In this study, we followed three faculty members’ experiences with designing and teaching online courses for the first time. In order to complete the activity, the faculty members had to work collaboratively with others across the university. Activity theory provided a framework within which to study faculty members’ collaborative activities with members of different activity systems that had different goals, tools, divisions of labor and accountabilities. In concordance with activity theory, such differences led to contradictions, disturbances, and transformations in thinking and work activities. The results of the study have implications for individuals and systems undertaking technology integration in teaching.DOI: 10.1080/0968776042000211520

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