Exploring Graduate Students' Perceptual Differences of Face-to-Face and Online Learning

Abstract

Distance education is in demand by a growing number of students. This study is concerned with how to evaluate and measure the success of an online teaching implementation. One way to address this question is by evaluating student achievement, and another is to evaluate student perceptions and satisfaction. Allen et al. (2002) note that even though students may be equally satisfied with participation in distance education, it is possible they may not be learning as much in that environment. Satisfaction with the educational process must be compared to evaluations of the effectiveness of the pedagogy. This study addressed the following questions: (a) did students perceive differences in course design as a result of course implementation; (b) did students perceive that coursework addressed higher order thinking skills; and (c) were there differences in student achievement? [Author introduction, ed]