Distance Learning>Student Information and Help Desk>Statistics and Reports>Survey Results, Winter 2000
 

Narrative Report Summary from Winter 2000

Online Survey Form Summary Results

Winter Quarter 2000

Total number of students surveyed                     522                 

Total number of respondents                                46                        

Percent of recipients who responded                    8.8%

The following is a compilation of the original survey.  We have endeavored to make this report as succinct as possible.  Please note that where the percentages do not equal the total students the remainder of the respondents felt that the situation was adequate or did not apply.

�         Over 85% of the students responding felt they had the prerequisite knowledge and skills necessary to complete this course.  0% felt unprepared for the course and the rest of the students were prepared enough to complete the course.

�         Over 82% of the students felt that the course lived up to their expectations.  7%  were somewhat disappointed and _7%_  felt neutral about the course.

�         There were 96% of the students that found the content to be relevant to their needs. While  2% of the students did not feel the content to be relevant.

�         89%  of the respondents were satisfied that the materials presented met the objectives established for this course. Less than   7% of the students felt the materials were insufficient to meet the objectives of the course.

�         The syllabus was appropriate and helpful to almost 83% of the students while only 5% felt the need for more information on the syllabus

�         Text and supplemental materials were appropriate and helpful to over 84% of those responding while less than  7% felt that the materials needed to be changed. 

�         Over 71% of the students felt that the course content was as good as or better than traditional course on campus.  A little under 14% felt that the course content could be improved and the rest either had no opinion or felt the course was adequate.

�         More than 84% of the respondents felt that the course objectives were clear to them.  Less than  3% felt a need for more explanation of the objectives.

�         The course activities (online and/or off-campus) contributed to over 84% of the respondents understanding of the material.  Less than 7% of the students felt there could be improvement in the course activities.

�          Just about 52% of the students felt that the testing procedures were appropriate and helpful.  While almost 2% felt there was a need to improve the testing procedures and 39% felt the question did not apply them.

�         A little over 69% found the forum discussions an effective mean for interacting with other students and the instructor.  Almost 7% of the students were disappointed in the forum discussions and felt they could be improved.

�        Almost 33% of the respondents did not contact the Distance Learning office personnel.  Of those students who contacted the Distance Learning Office 79% found them to be a helpful resource.

�         Over 70% of the students found the course information provided in the quarterly schedule was adequate.  11% felt the information was sufficient and almost 4% felt the need to improve the quarterly schedule to assist them in understanding how the class would work?

�         Over 52% of the students attended the on-campus orientation meeting and the majority of students felt that the orientation was useful and worthwhile.  43% of the students responding did not attend the orientation meeting.

Many students wanted more detailed information on courses in the quarterly schedule.  They would like to know the approximate time they will need to spend per week online as well as more specifics on the course content.  Some students would like to know how the online course would be structured and what the instructor would expect of them as online students. 

Several students would like to know how an online course differs from an on campus course.  Many of the students felt that the quarterly schedule was adequate and provided enough information.

Of the students that attended the orientations most felt they were helpful and they appreciated being able to attend at their discretion. 

�         48% of the respondents felt that the number of on-campus meetings is sufficient for them to maximize their understanding of course materials. 4% of the students felt that it would have been helpful to have more on-campus meetings.

�         The majority of the students, over 76% felt there were more than sufficient opportunities for communication with the instructor.  About 9% felt they needed more interactions with the instructor. 

�         Almost 74% of those responding felt like their class was a true learning community.  13% felt that it was somewhat like a learning community and the rest did not feel their classroom was like a learning community.

�         Almost 53% of students would like to have 1 – 2 additional opportunities "to meet face to face”.  2% felt that 3 meetings would be helpful and about 4% would like to meet 4 or more times.  Of the students responding 43% felt that no additional times to meet would be needed.

�         Most students communicated with students and faculty via email and online discussions. A few students used the phone or mail.  In addition 10% of the respondents contacted the other students and instructors in person.

�         Almost 76% of the students preferred the same day or one day response time (turnaround) from their instructors.  About 20% of the students felt if the instructor responded with 2 to 3 days that was sufficient

�        Nearly 87% of the students felt that the workload demand of the course was realistic.  4% of those responding disagreed feeling that the class work demand was not reasonable

�        Insufficient data to answer this question.

�        28% of the respondents felt that they spent more time on their online courses when compared to traditional on-campus classes.  Over 39% felt the time spent was comparable to the time required for an on campus course.  28% of the students worked less time on their on line classes when compared to on campus classes.

�         Approximately 61% of the respondents believed there was enough technical and logistical support.   

�         Approximately 35% of the students made use of the support provided and 37% said the question didn’t apply. 

�         The majority of students received support from their instructors, a little under 35%.  Another 9% received support from the computer lab/help desk and from the Distance Learning office.  The rest of the students found other types of assistance.

�         Over 82% of the respondents felt that the overall quality of the distance learning course was outstanding.  7% felt there was room for improvement in the course.

�          Almost 85% of students thought the course was intellectually stimulating and challenging.  5% felt that their class could have been more challenging.

�         Approximately 87% of the respondents would take another online class at NSCC.

�          Almost 74% of the students would recommend this distance learning course to other students.  11% would not recommend the course and the rest were not sure they could recommend the course. 

�         The majority of students, over 80% think this distance learning course should be offered again.  7% were somewhat unsure it should be offered and the rest did not feel this course should be offered again.

Many of the students felt the classes provided them with a positive experience and felt that there was nothing they could suggest to improve the courses.  Some students had technical difficulty with the network server and at times could not get into their online classrooms.  A few students missed the interaction with others and felt a well set up discussion forum would be helpful in this regard.  There were some suggestions that a few more on-campus meetings would also be helpful in their achieving the course objectives. 

Comments indicated that the students wanted more interaction with the instructor, to address their uncertainties regarding their individual levels of need.

Many students like the flexibility of an online course.  They can better fit this type of class into their schedules and they also enjoyed being able to work at their own pace.  They were impressed with the course content and the quality of the classes.  Many students appreciated the interaction with the instructor and other students using electronic means, such as email, chat rooms and the forums. The loft provided much up-dated on-line information. Several of the respondents stated what a positive experience they had and that they learned a great deal.  They also stated that they got quick responses from their instructors and that this made the online experience feel more like a classroom.

Some students felt that the online experience was less judgmental.  They felt that they could be more open in their responses in the forum and in dealing with their classmates.  There seemed to be a feeling of less competition in the online setting, which  facilitated learning.

Several of the students could not come up with any things that they disliked about their courses.  Some students were frustrated with technical problems ranging from network problems to difficulties with their individual class web pages. A few of the respondents felt that the format of the discussion forum could have been improved upon. 

There seemed to be a general feeling that online courses require more time as well as discipline from the student. Some students missed the lack of personal contact and interaction that is missing online.  A few students stated that they had difficulty with some course concepts that might have been clarified more easily in a person-to-person situation.  

Several students felt the need for more immediate responses from instructors.  Students stressed the importance of well-designed web sites that were intuitive and easy to navigate through. This would include the option to eliminate background wallpaper and clearing out the on-line discussion several times per quarter. It was suggested that students be permitted to change writing groups during the quarter to broaden their interaction with other students.

Many students had no suggestions for improvements but were impressed with the quality of the on line courses.  Several did suggest it would be helpful to have a few more on campus meetings to be able to evaluate their work in a face-to-face setting.

Most students were interested in more classes in their chosen field.  There was a wide range of classes that students felt could be effective on line courses, indicating that distance learning offers many possibilities in the range of topics.  Many respondents felt that any and all classes should be offered online so that a degree could easily be done fully online.

While it was noted that our selection of courses has grown and improved, it was suggested that we incorporate CIS course, economics and music history. Mathematics for health professionals as well as medical terminology was suggested. Anatomy, physiology, and developmental psychology were mentioned. Early childhood courses are being requested also.

Students were experiencing difficulties with the technical aspects of some courses, resulting in slowed progress with the learning material.                                                                      

There were many positive comments from students.  They enjoyed the course content and felt they had positive experience learning online.  They praised their instructors and came away from the class with a greater understanding of the course material.  There  were several students who look forward to taking more online classes as these courses allow them the freedom and flexibility to learn on their own. 

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