Student Perspective: Distance Learning Best Practices
Online Learning – Student Perspective
VCCS New Horizons Conference – April 2005
Students were asked to discuss their experiences as online students and to provide ideas on what would help them (and other) be successful in online classes.
Student competencies for online learning
- time management skills
- computer skills – take ITE 115 before taking any online courses (suggested requiring ITW 115 as a prerequisite to online courses)
- basic MS Office skills
- time to learn Blackboard --overwhelmed at first
- Need to be motivated
General observations
- Preferred site classes but appreciated online classes when they could not come to campus; one student would not have been able to participate if online classes were not available.
- On coming to campus: Some (older) students do not want "college" experience but do like making friends/contact with others
- Need to log on regularly – easy to get behind
- Access makes a difference – Cable, DSL best; survived with dial-up
- They would spend up to $3,000 on a computer
- Think a PDA is helpful in keeping organized
- Need feedback -- ASAP – 24 hours is OK – no more than 48 hours
- Students did not know information about online classes and online learning was available or did not know how to find it
Need/want structure
- Specific deadlines
- Consistency
- Calendars
- Comprehensive instructions – takes time to clarify
- Checklists
- Be clear on what you expect of student so they can determine if they can handle the course
- Be realistic -- don’t overwhelm them
- Provide a detailed syllabus
- Provide detailed information on the course
- Related assignments – focused on what is expected on the exam
- Study guides are helpful
- Provide practice tests
- Supplementary materials – videos, virtual labs are helpful
- For papers – liked peer editing
Orientation
- Don’t like large group sessions -- overwhelming
- Want to be walked through the process – BB, navigation, etc.
- Want help with time management
- Online orientation would be helpful/appreciated
Want contact
- Meeting faculty member is important
- Contact with faculty member faculty (online) presence very important
- Contact with other students
- Suggested discussion forum where students could talk with each other
- More student-to-student interaction
- Think live interaction with faculty member is beneficial
- Academic support/resources
- Some got a library tutorial; others didn’t; once is enough
- Want to be able to get a book without coming to campus
- Think online tutoring would be beneficial – can’t come to campus; have to seek help elsewhere
- Problems with math and statistics – needed help especially on weekends
- Came to campus to take tests; get books; participate in study sessions; biology labs
Course activities
- Liked practical assignments -- added value for the student
- Think proctored tests are important
- Did not like lecture method – prefer interaction, student centered activity
- Liked faculty active in the discussion activities
- Liked having whole course available – plan ahead; know what’s coming
- Liked study supplements, (optional) review sessions; flash cards – study aids
Support activities
- Suggested online survival skills course -- important – could be SDV course
- Help desk is important; available when needed
- Online services would be beneficial -- Access to services not available evenings and weekends – times when they could come to campus; one could not get to campus
- Want to get email in one place (VCCS & personal)
- Bookstore was a bottleneck – lines, not open when they could get to campus, problems with grants/financial aid
- Would like study groups
- Think students could help each other; utilize virtual classroom; provide student email addresses
- Think colleges should require a computer literacy test before enrolling in online courses – those who are not computer literate hold up others