Student Satisfaction with NAU's Online Courses Larry MacPhee Director, CTEL Northern Arizona University

1. Student Satisfaction with NAU's Online CoursesLarry MacPheeDirector, CTELNorthern Arizona University Abstract Students were asked to describe satisfaction with NAU’s online courses and compare the experience to face-to-face classes they have taken. Students reported that NAU’s web courses are just as effective and academically challenging as face-to-face courses, and very convenient. Communication with the instructor was similar, but student-student contact was diminished, even when chat rooms and discussion boards were used. Minor technical problems occurred but rarely interfered with the successful completion of the course. When technical problems occurred, students typically solved the problems on their own or consulted friends. Students reported that WebCT was generally easy to use and averaged 4-6 hours per week on class work. Overall satisfaction was high, and students want more online course offerings. Methods • Surveys were conducted during the last week of Spring Semester, 2002 and 2003. • The survey was voluntary and anonymous. • No attempt was made to verify the truthfulness or accuracy of responses. • The request for survey participants was on the WebCT welcome page. • Respondents were instructed to leave answers blank if they did not wish to answer. • 207 students submitted responses for this survey in 2002; 113 in 2003 • Responses to the survey were submitted to CTEL via a web-based form. • Each web form submission created a new record in a FileMaker database. • Data were exported from FileMaker to Microsoft Excel. • Results were tabulated using the Frequency Histogram tool. • Results were graphed by cutting and pasting Excel data into CricketGraph. • Full survey results are posted at this address: http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~lrm22/ctelweb/post_survey_results/ A: Much less than in face-to-face classesB: Somewhat lessC: About the same amountD: Somewhat moreE: Much more than in face-to-face classes A: Less than 2 hours per weekB: 2 to 4 hours per weekC: 4 to 6 hours per weekD: 6 to 8 hours per weekE: More than 8 hours per week A: Much less challengingB: Somewhat less challengingC: About the sameD: Somewhat more challengingE: Much more challenging A: Much Less ConvenientB: Somewhat LessC: No DifferenceD: Somewhat MoreE: Much More Convenient A: Highly IneffectiveB: Somewhat IneffectiveC: NeutralD: Somewhat EffectiveE: Highly Effective A: Gaining Access to CourseB: Difficulty with WebCTC: Internet Connection or Speed of ConnectionD: Problem with Personal ComputerE: Not Applicable-No Problems Encountered A: Did Not Solve (or Problem Went Away)B: Solved With Help From InstructorC: Solved On My Own (or a Friend Helped)D: Solved with Assistance of NAU Help DeskE: No Technical Problems Occurred A: Strongly DisagreeB: DisagreeC: Neutral D: Agree E: Strongly Agree A: Very DifficultB: Somewhat DifficultC: Neutral D: Somewhat Easy E: Very Easy