Introduction

1. Students’ Voices: Keys to Successful Online EducationDeqi Zengdzen@semo.eduMA TESOL Program English Department Southeast Missouri State University

3. The presentation is based on a survey study I conducted on students’ perceived satisfaction of online courses and the key factors that affect their satisfaction toward online learning.

4. Introduction Online education has become an important component in higher education today. • More than 96 percent of the largest universities that have an enrollment of at least 15,000 offer online courses. • Nearly 65 percent of the largest universities offer online programs.

5. Nearly 3.2 million students were taking at least one course online in the fall term of 2005, a growth of 35 percent as compared to the previous year. • The overall size of the higher education students population is estimated to be 17 million with online students now represents close to 17 percent of all higher education students ( Allen and Seaman, 2006, p. 8) .

6. Background and context:why online? • The unique feature of the student population: the majority of students are practicing teachers • The growth of the program • The limitation of other distance learning technology, such as Interactive TV(ITV) • The goal: a program online

7. Description of the study Research questions:What are the students’ perceived satisfaction on their online learning experience in terms of the quality of the course content and learning experience itself?Among a number of given factors, which one or ones they perceive as keys that affect their perceived satisfaction of online learning experience?

8. The questionnaire: 33 items (close and open ended questions) 20 questions (item#8 and items #10-29) are designed to collect information for research question #1 Item #31 (with 7 sub-items) for research question #2Two open-ended questions.

9. The Participants and the Procedures • Participants were students enrolled in six MA TESOL online courses the researcher taught during the spring of 2003 to the spring of 2006. • Procedures: The survey was posted on the course website at the end of the semester and responses were anonymously saved in the server. Response rate was 58%.

10. Data and Data Analysis

11. Brief summary of responses to research question#1: Students’ responses were very positive and consistent. Their responses indicate that overwhelming majority of students in the six online courses were either satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of content, learning process and learning experience.

12. A Few Highlights: • 54%of the participants described their “Overall satisfaction about the web-based course” surveyed as “ Very Satisfied” while another 33.1% of participants described it as “Satisfied” (Item#8).

13. 84.5%of the participants either “very satisfied” (38.2%) or “satisfied” (46.3%) with the overall “quality of the course content” (Item#14). • 78.1% of the participants either “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that “web-based courses can provide students with the same quality of learning experiences as traditional classes do” (item#10)[compared to the 6.4% of those who either “disagreed” or “strongly disagreed” and 15.1% “neutral”.

14. A few highlights: Item#8: “How would you describe your OVERALL satisfaction about this web-based course?” VS S N DS VDS Total 67 42 9 6 0 124 54%33.1% 7.3% 4.8% 0 100% Item #14: “Overall, I was satisfied with the quality of content and skills I acquired from this course.” SA A N D SD Total 47 57 10 8 1 123 38.2%46.3% 8.1% 6.5% .8% 100%

15. Item# 24: “Overall, I was satisfied with my participation and involvement in this web-based course”. SA A N D SD Total 46 55 15 6 2 12437.1%44.4% 12.1% 4.8% 1.6% 100% Item#28: “Overall, I gained positive feelings about myself from my online learning experience” SA A N D SD Total 25 72 9 6 2 12420.2%58.1% 15.3% 4.8% 1.6% 100%

16. 64.5% of the subjects agreed that “online courses are more challenging than a conventional class” (item#15) and 51.5% claimed that they “devoted more time and efforts to the online course” (item#16). • 79% of the students “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that “online courses promote active learning” (item#13).

17. 81.3% of the students either “strongly disagreed” (37.4%) or “disagreed” (43.9%)that they felt “isolated or unsupported” in the web-based course (Item#17). • 52.4% of the participants “strongly disagreed” or “disagreed” that they “could have more participation if the course had been offered face-to-face” (Item #18).

18. 81.5% of the participants either “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that “OVERALL” they were satisfied with the learning process in terms of participation, interaction with peers and instructor” (item#24)

19. 78.3%of students “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that that “OVERALL, I gained positive feeling about myself from this online course” (item #28). • 62.9 % students felt that they had gained “more self-confidence from online learning experience” (item 26) and 90.4% of the participants either “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that “I believe online learning helps enhance students’ self-discipline and time management ”(item #27).

20. The overwhelming majority of participants, 83.7%, believed that “online courses are beneficial for in-service teachers” (Item#29). • When asked “If you have a choice for your next course offered in the following mode (online, ITV, on-site, hyber), which one would you most likely choose?”

22. Brief summary of results to research question #2:

23. Brief summary of results to research question #2: • The survey results indicate that students perceived “instructors’ accessibility” (item#31A), “instructor’s input” (item#31B) and “course design and structure” (item#31D)as the most essential factors that affect their satisfaction with an online course. Instructor’s attitude (understanding, respect to students’ ideas, etc) ranks next to the three.

24. A brief summary of students’ narrative responses • The results of the quantitative items are supported by students’ responses to the open-ended questions and students’ comments provided with more meaningful and detailed information regarding their perceptions of their online learning experience and the factors that affect their satisfaction. Brief summary of results to research question #2:

25. Major advantages: • Online education increases the accessibility to teacher training courses and makes it possible for busy classroom teachers to take graduate level courses for their advancement in their career.S2: The major advantage is “ability to fit in a part time basis when already working full time. Without the web option, I would not be able to pursue the program, so I am very grateful for it.

26. S3: I am able to take classes that I wouldn’t ordinarily be able to take because of where I live. S6: The online MA TESOL is making possible for me to pursue this degree while pursuing other interests and working full-time as well-it’s a God-send!

27. 2. Students appreciate the convenience and flexibility of online courses. S5: It’s great to “attend” class whenever it is most convenient for my schedule from week to week. That flexibility is ideal for my circumstances. S10: I think the major advantage of online class is being able to do the class when it is convenient for me. Some people might jump online first thing in the morning. ..others during the day or still other late at night. That is what it convinced me I had time to go the class because I could go when I had time. S10: I think the major advantage of online class is being able to do the class when it is convenient for me. Some people might jump online first thing in the morning. ..others during the day or still other late at night. That is what it convincing me I had time to go the class because I could go when I had time.

28. S8: Although there are deadlines, I like the flexibility of working on my own. In my own time, I like the fact that I can work at home and not have to drive to class.

29. Online courses promote active learning. On discussion requires written responses. Students feel that they benefit from better quality responses from their peers and commenting on each other’s messages make it imperative for them to read and think more carefully before they respond. • Online discussion requires written responses, students feel that they benefit from better quality of responses from their peers and responding to one another forces them read and think more carefully before they respond. More demanding, challenging, been able to comprehend and learn more…

30. S6: One of the major advantages was not having to listen to people unjustified opinions. The responses were better thought-out. S7: I appreciate well organized lessons and assignments. We accomplished a lot. The writing assignments required me to improve my writing skills and required me to do the reading well and synthesized what I learned as well as express what I learned. • S7: I appreciate well organized lessons and assignments. We accomplished a lot. The writing assignments required me to improve my writing skills and required me to do the reading well and synthesized what I learned as well as express what I learned. • S7: I appreciate well organized lessons and assignments. We accomplished a lot. The writing assignments required me to improve my writing skills and required me to do the reading well and synthesized what I learned as well as express what I learned.

31. S10: There is more time for online courses to contemplate one's thoughts before submitting them for review by peers and/or the instructor. • S11: Web-based courses are so nice. They allow you time to thoroughly read over everyone’s comments on the forum but on your own time. I feel like I can focus on this type of class so much better than in a regular classroom meeting or over the ITV. • S11: Web-based courses are so nice. They allow you time to thoroughly read over everyone’s comments on the forum but on your own time. I feel like I can focus on this type of class so much better than in a regular classroom meeting or over the ITV.

32. S15: It is so much easier to work around a job or other things in your schedule. If I can’t focus on the topic, I can walk away for a bit and come back later when I am ready to learn. I don’t feel I ever waste my time, where I do sometimes in classes. • S8: I am a quiet person and express my ideas better in writing than in classroom settings, where I always felt there were those who dominated all discussions. I feel I am able to contribute more and to better understand forum board comments than in class. I love online learning and see no disadvantage.

33. S25: ....I enjoyed online discussion. I am able to learn from other’s experiences, build self-confidence through feedback from both instructor and peers. People are more open to discussion in an online course. S8: I am a quiet person and express my ideas better in writing than in a classroom settings, where I always felt there were those who dominated all discussions. I feel I am able to contribute more and to better understand forum board comments than in class. I love online learning and see no disadvantage.

34. S7: Major advantage is that you get input from every student. In a traditional class, you usually have a few dominant students that take over most class discussions. In my online class, everyone participates and some of the quieter students have a lot to offer.

35. Instructor and course design S9: I am very pleased with the online course. The instructor is always available when you need her, and her comments are professional, helpful and timely. S10: This is a great course! The instructor did an excellent job on commenting on different ideas and viewpoints, ….real part of the learning experience of this class. . S17: I enjoyed this class very much! This course is well organized…we knew at the onset what the expectations were. The course had clearly defined objectives, ,,, was clear about how to handle the course… these are extremely helpful.. I received feedback from the instructor almost instantaneously.

36. S30: …very impressed with this course and with the ease at which the course was presented in the web format. I feel the instructor did an outstanding job of making herself available to students and presented this course in the best format that allowed the most positive learning experience for students.

37. Negative aspects of online courses Some major disadvantages of online courses: • Online courses are more challenging/demanding/time consuming/labor intensive • Work better for some courses • Lack of immediate feedback • Online interaction cannot substitute face-to-face human interaction.

38. S8: Keeping up with so many discussions threads simultaneously is very overwhelming. • S4: I enjoyed the class. However, I found it nearly impossible to keep up with everyone’s posting. There are so many. • S40: …definitely requires more time/efforts….can be too demanding • S53: I am a people person… I miss the dynamics of a face-to-face class. • S24: You don’t meet other students. It is more difficult to ask professor questions.

39. S17: … received less and immediate assistance from the instructor than I usually do in a traditional class. • S11: the topic is so complex and specialized to “teach” via a web-based format…the subject matter begs for lots of examples, explanations and instructor’s input.

40. Conclusion • Online education has great potential and well designed web-based courses can provide students with the same quality of learning experience as traditional face-to-face class do. • Web or face to face, it is still the instructor’s expertise, instructor’s devotion that hold the key to successful students’ learning experience.

41. Technology is not perfect. Online instructors need to make the best use of the advantages that the technology can offer and make efforts to compensate the disadvantages. • Limitations of the study.