A Case Study of the Adult Learner's Perception of Instructional Quality in Web-Based Online Courses

Author(s):  
Terry T. Kidd ◽  
Holim Song

This study assessed the perceptions of adult learners in online distance learning programs regarding the instructional quality of Web-based courses via WebCT. The results showed an overall positive perception regarding the instructional quality of online courses delivered via WebCT (M = 3.51, SD = 1.1362). The mean obtained for students’ perceptions regarding the instructional quality items ranged from 3.7 to 3.37. The visual appeal of Web site and appropriateness of the course materials received the highest rating (M = 3.625). Clarity and purpose in introduction to content components earned the lowest ratings (M = 3.37). These results were closely correlated to students’ responses regarding the important aspects of instructional quality of online courses. The most important aspect indicated by students was the idea of having online course content and materials relevant to the course. The results of the study also indicated other perceived aspects that affect students’ views of the instructional quality of an online course, including interaction, design, convenience, feedback, and usability.

Author(s):  
Stephanie J. Etter ◽  
Lisa T. Byrnes

Online learning is the fastest growing segment in the educational marketplace (Conhaim, 2003). As the number of online courses increases and distance learning programs grow in popularity, questions of quality and comparability of online courses with traditional methods naturally arise (Schulman & Sims, 1999). While online learning is the fastest growing educational segment, partly in thanks to on-campus students who choose to take courses online, there are still debates about not only the quality of the course content, but the quality of the technology used as well. According to Bowman (2003), in “the history of higher education, online classes are relatively new, and it is yet to be determined how to take full advantage of the technology” (p. 73). Traditional face-to-face courses, which may have been proven successful in terms of evaluations and outcomes assessments, are increasingly being converted to online courses. A study by Smith, Ferguson, and Caris (2000) concluded: “Contrary to intuition, current Web-based online college courses are not an alienating, mass-produced product. They are a laborintensive, highly text-based, intellectually challenging forum which elicits deeper thinking on the part of the students” (p. 67). Converting a traditional classroom course that is intellectually challenging and that elicits deeper thinking into an online course that can do the same can be a harrowing task. The process of converting a face-to-face course into an online course without compromising the course’s integrity and quality is a difficult burden to overcome. The burden of the conversion process can be eased, however, through the use of course maps.


2010 ◽  
pp. 1308-1324
Author(s):  
Terry T. Kidd ◽  
Holim Song

This study assessed the perceptions of adult learners inonline distance learning programs regarding theinstructional quality of Web-based courses via WebCT. Theresults showed an overall positive perception regarding theinstructional quality of online courses delivered via WebCT (M = 3.51, SD = 1.1362). The mean obtained for students’perceptions regarding the instructional quality items ranged from 3.7 to 3.37. The visual appeal of Web site and appropriateness of the course materials received thehighest rating (M = 3.625). Clarity and purpose in introduction to content components earned the lowest ratings (M = 3.37). These results were closely correlated to students’ responses regarding the important aspects ofinstructional quality of online courses. The most important aspect indicated by students was the idea of having onlinecourse content and materials relevant to the course. Theresults of the study also indicated other perceived aspects that affect students’ views of the instructional quality of anonline course, including interaction, design, convenience, feedback, and usability.


2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 18-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kristopher Barbour ◽  
David Adelstein ◽  
Jonathan Morrison

Like many K-12 online learning programs, the Illinois Virtual High School (IVHS) began by utilizing vendor content to populate its online courses. In its fourth year, the IVHS began a concerted effort to design more of its own online course content internals. The aim of this study was to examine the nature of the support needed and application of tools used by IVHS course developers. The data consisted of a two-part, web-based survey and telephone interviews that were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inductive analysis. The results showed these developers had a strong desire to use interactive elements in their course as well as working in cooperative teams. Further, developers were opposed to using a forced template, but indicated a need for general structural guidance and additional professional development. Finally, developers recommended that subject matter teacher-developers and multimedia specialists be split into two separate roles, and these individuals work together as a part of a design team. Further research should be conducted on the intended use of technology tools requested.


2007 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beth Dietz-Uhler ◽  
Amy Fisher ◽  
Andrea Han

Although the issue of student retention is a campus-wide one, it is of special interest in online distance learning courses, where retention rates are reported to be lower than in face-to-face classes. Among the explanations and theories of retention rates in online courses, one that struck us as most useful is a structural one, namely, course design. The question we raise is, can online course designs promote student retention? In this article, we report on how we used Quality Matters to design and revise online courses in psychology and statistics. Quality Matters, a research-based initiative, advocates the use of eight general review standards to review online courses. In our psychology and statistics courses, our retention rate across multiple offerings of both courses is approximately 95%.


2011 ◽  
pp. 1940-1944
Author(s):  
Stephanie J. Etter ◽  
Lisa T. Byrnes

Online learning is the fastest growing segment in the educational marketplace (Conhaim, 2003). As the number of online courses increases and distance learning programs grow in popularity, questions of quality and comparability of online courses with traditional methods naturally arise (Schulman & Sims, 1999). While online learning is the fastest growing educational segment, partly in thanks to on-campus students who choose to take courses online, there are still debates about not only the quality of the course content, but the quality of the technology used as well. According to Bowman (2003), in “the history of higher education, online classes are relatively new, and it is yet to be determined how to take full advantage of the technology” (p. 73).


Author(s):  
Michael K. Barbour ◽  
David Adelstein ◽  
Jonathan Morrison

Like many K-12 online learning programs, the Illinois Virtual High School (IVHS) began by utilizing vendor content to populate its online courses. In its fourth year, the IVHS began a concerted effort to design more of its own online course content internally. The aim of this chapter was to examine the support needed and application of tools used by IVHS course developers. The data consisted of a two-part, web-based survey and telephone interviews that were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inductive analysis. The results showed these developers had a strong desire to use interactive elements in their course as well as working in cooperative teams. Further, developers were opposed to using a forced template, but indicated a need for general structural guidance and additional professional development. Finally, developers recommended that subject matter teacher-developers and multimedia specialists be split into two separate roles, and these individuals work together as a part of a team. Further research should be conducted on the intended use of technology tools requested.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (Extra-B) ◽  
pp. 173-180
Author(s):  
Elizaveta Afanasyevna Barakhsanova ◽  
Mikhail Petrovich Sivtsev ◽  
Nyurgun Mikhailovich Pavlov ◽  
Afanasy Radnaevich Batorov ◽  
Maria Egorovna Alekseeva

The authors justified the idea of developing online courses based on the use of Moodle tools, allowing the formation of knowledge in the field of technological and methodological skills and abilities to use educational applications, services, and their application in professional activities in the implementation of online learning in the digital environment of the university.  Assessment of the effectiveness of the online course is confirmed by the solution of professional tasks from the knowledge of the digital educational environment with interdisciplinary content and tasks requiring the use of e-learning tools. Analysis of the results using two-way analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of factors on the effective feature using the F-test. The significance of the study lies in the development of online advanced training courses aimed at improving the technological level of teachers and educators of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in the implementation of the remote format of training using online distance learning tools and technologies. 


Author(s):  
D. Thammi Raju ◽  
G. R. K. Murthy ◽  
S. B. Khade ◽  
B. Padmaja ◽  
B. S. Yashavanth ◽  
...  

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 74
Author(s):  
Dinda Ayu Muthia ◽  
Yetrivo Efendy

The course is one of the education provided outside formal (non-formal) schools to develop personal abilities and skills. Eden Everyday English Course Institute is an Institution located in Bogor. In this institution, the registration process for students is done manually by filling in the registration form provided by the admin. Eden Everyday English Course Institute is one of the courses where the number of applicants increases every year, this causes the administration department cannot manage everything properly and feels overwhelmed so that it is not effective. With the increase in the number of students registering each year, it would be better if a web-based registration system was created, so that it could simultaneously serve as a medium for promoting the course institution. The purpose of this research is to create a web-based application to help the process of registration for new students in Eden Everyday English Course Institute using the waterfall method. Many studies, especially in the field of information system development, use the Waterfall method. This online course registration application is effective and efficient because it is supported by an integrated system. This application improves the quality of information and the efficiency of the implementation of online course registration.


Author(s):  
Cathryn Crosby

The increase in online courses offered in higher education, the reliance on highly developed academic literacy skills to learn course content, the complex nature of media literacy, the negotiation of multiple technologies, and the corresponding media literacy together can be quite challenging for online learners. Most research conducted on academic literacies has focused primarily on academic reading and writing practices rather than on media literacy. This chapter discusses an investigation of media literacy in an online course, the experience learners had with this literacy and online tasks. The chapter discusses results of data from the online learners and instructor, which showed the instructor required different media literacy proficiency than what the online learners possessed prior to beginning the online course. Finally, the chapter presents implications the study findings have for online instructors' effective development, design, and delivery of online courses and development of online learners' media literacy.


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