Students' perceptions of Web-based distance learning courses

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate student satisfaction levels with their web-based learning experience. Study sites were three public Doctoral/Research Universities---Extensive. A cross-sectional, web-based survey collected data from students about their perceptions of satisfaction and success in the two months following completion of their spring 2001 courses. Two hundred sixty-nine (269) students enrolled in 40 graduate-level, web-based courses at the three sites were surveyed. Students were divided into two study groups: completers and non-completers. The survey for course completers covered five major topic areas: experience with computers and the Web, course participation, images of self, perceptions of satisfaction and success, and general information. The survey for non-completers covered two topic areas: general information and factors affecting decision to drop from the course. Hierarchical regressions revealed significant relationships between satisfaction and self-efficacy and between self-efficacy and interpersonal control at two sites (p̲ < .05 and p̲ < .001, respectively). Hierarchical regressions also revealed significant relationships between satisfaction and level of communication (p̲ < .01 and p̲ < .05, respectively). When limiting the definition of available technical support to instructor assistance or help from teaching assistants, there appeared to be a significant relationship between available technical support and students' overall success in their courses (p̲ < .05). Students' attitudes about the Web were positively correlated to both their overall satisfaction and success at one site (p̲ < .05) while at the second site attitudes toward the Web were positively correlated only to satisfaction with the course (p̲ < .05). No significant relationships were found between students' participation in collaborative learning activities and satisfaction. The study raises a number of questions related to the relationship of gender to student satisfaction and success and to the relationship of discipline to the structure of the web-based course. Future research can address these relationships to clarify the relationship between students' perceptions of satisfaction and success and the type of learning activities and experiences they encounter in web-based distance courses based on gender and field of study.