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1 – 10 of over 50000The purpose of this paper is to examine students’ perceptions of online vs traditional (face-to-face) course offerings at the business school of a liberal arts university in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine students’ perceptions of online vs traditional (face-to-face) course offerings at the business school of a liberal arts university in southwest USA. The research compares perceptions of students who have been subjected to online education along with those who have not been exposed to online education and examines likelihood to take online courses.
Design/methodology/approach
Paper and pencil surveys were distributed in different classes in business classes at a university in southwest USA. The target group was undergraduate students.
Findings
The results indicate that overall, students have neutral perceptions about online courses, while favorable perceptions are strongly associated with likelihood to take online courses. Moreover, prior exposure with online courses is not a significant factor in forming favorable perceptions about online courses.
Research limitations/implications
The present research is limited in generalizability and the institution surveyed in the southwest region is new to online courses offering in their curriculum and not all the participants had prior experience with online courses.
Originality/value
Although this paper compares online education with traditional, another option for methods of education include hybrid models incorporating both. A possible third option not discussed through this research is a hybrid or blended learning course, a combination of both online and traditional courses. This opens the options for the student, as hybrid courses can be built with many different options. One includes using technology for “screencasts” or lectures online.
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Lynn Ann Fish, Coral Rose Snodgrass and Ji-Hee Kim
This study aims to compare graduate student perspectives of online versus face-to-face (FTF) education during the pandemic at two different universities. One university, the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to compare graduate student perspectives of online versus face-to-face (FTF) education during the pandemic at two different universities. One university, the “International University”, was physically located in Korea but served an international base of students, and the other was a Jesuit, Catholic University in the USA.
Design/methodology/approach
An online Qualtrics survey was used to gather student perceptions on a five-point Likert scale on individual and program factors. Chi-square analysis using the contingency coefficient as the nominal value was performed to uncover significant differences.
Findings
Significant differences between the two groups existed on motivation, discipline, self-directed, independence, cost investment, preference, happiness, difficulty, student-to-student interaction and student-to-instructor interaction. This research has implications for instructors and administrators in identifying shortcomings and highlighting the uniqueness of different practices around the world.
Originality/value
Previous studies on student perceptions have been performed. However, this study is original in the fact that it directly compares two different graduate student populations perspectives of online versus FTF during the pandemic.
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Tuba Kamal and Asheref Illiyan
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has impacted catastrophically every sector of the economy throughout the world. And, the education sector is not leftover from the…
Abstract
Purpose
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has impacted catastrophically every sector of the economy throughout the world. And, the education sector is not leftover from the devastating effects of lockdown, especially in South Asia. It has led to the prolonged closure of schools/universities, subsequently, traditional teaching expeditiously transformed into online teaching. In the light of the events, this study is pertinent to examine teachers’ perceptions of online teaching and the obstacles they face in online teaching during this pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
The research takes a quantitative and sample survey approach. A Google Form Questionnaire was used to obtain a sample of 200 Delhi school teachers in March and April 2021. Data were analyzed in SPSS by using Descriptive Statistics, Factor Analysis, Reliability and Chi-Square test, etc.
Findings
The result of the study indicates that on average, teachers have a positive perception about virtual teaching amid COVID-19 for reducing the learning gap and shaping pupils’ future during the crisis. Nevertheless, they encountered several obstacles in online teaching such as technical obstacles, difficulties in online exams and assessment, etc.
Practical implications
The findings of this study would persuade educational institutions and policymakers for enhancing the quality of online teaching by embracing the newest instructional strategies and providing continuous training to teachers.
Originality/value
Several studies described obstacles confronted by instructors in virtual teaching in higher education during the Coronavirus while disregarding the perception and challenges of school teachers toward e-learning in an ongoing outbreak. The present study replenishes this gap.
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Kristy J. Lauver, Dawna M. Drum, James M. Windsor and Sheila M. Miller
This study aims to examine why students choose to or choose not to take and their perspectives of online courses, by obtaining responses from both students who have and have not…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine why students choose to or choose not to take and their perspectives of online courses, by obtaining responses from both students who have and have not taken online classes.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey methodology is used, including both open‐ended qualitative questions as well as a quantitative question.
Findings
Support for past research was found through students indicating the importance of flexibility and convenience in online courses. Countering past research was the high level of consistency between the two populations’ perspectives of online courses. Two key distinctions were found between the populations: the amount of focus on the cost of courses by those choosing not to take online classes, and the awareness of the need of self‐motivation needed in online courses by those who had taken them.
Research limitations/implications
This research was conducted at just one organization, so generalizability across institutions would need to be confirmed.
Practical implications
Institutions need to be aware of what constitutes students’ choices and perspectives between the various methods of taking courses.
Social implications
Students may need additional preparation and realistic expectations in order to increase the likelihood of being successful in an online course. Institutions also need to maintain the rigor of their online courses to maintain an overall positive social perception of online education.
Originality/value
This study made a distinction between perspectives of students having had an online course and those who had not, as well as a distinction between choice in selecting online courses and student perceptions of online courses. These perceptions were explored through both quantitative and qualitative responses.
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The purpose of this paper is to describe the strengths and weaknesses of seven representative studies pertaining to the employers’ perceptions of online education.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the strengths and weaknesses of seven representative studies pertaining to the employers’ perceptions of online education.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper retrieved and analysed representative studies on the subject from two scholarly databases and Google.
Findings
The results indicate that there is a much greater likelihood that a candidate with an online degree would be viewed less favorably for employment purposes compared to the candidate with the face‐to‐face degree.
Originality/value
The paper identifies the gaps in the current studies and suggests future research directions regarding this critical topic.
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Rachel Mosier, Sanjeev Adhikari and Sandeep Langar
Those who believe they excel at architecture or engineering education are more likely to succeed based on self-efficacy principles. To investigate educator self-efficacy and…
Abstract
Purpose
Those who believe they excel at architecture or engineering education are more likely to succeed based on self-efficacy principles. To investigate educator self-efficacy and success in the Online Learning Environment (OLE), a set of relationships are observed which describe correlations between experience and potential.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey instrument was distributed the fall after COVID-19 university closures. Respondents were asked to reflect on their level of experience teaching and their ability to teach online. All analyzed data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics using the SPSS 22.0 statistical software package. The compatibility of the variables with normal distribution was tested using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Shapiro–Wilk methods. Variables comparisons were performed using non-parametric tests (Kruskal Wallis test, Mann Whitney U test). The relationships between quantitative variables were examined using the Spearman Rank Correlation and comparisons formed from the qualitative variables were tested using the Pearson Chi-Square and Fisher Exact methods.
Findings
Educator self-efficacy was determined throughout the COVID-19 transition. Possessing online teaching experience is related to the perceptions that architectural education can be delivered entirely online. A relationship was found for educators who previously taught using OLE and who had experience with delivering and developing OLE.
Practical implications
It is incumbent on educators and administrators to continue to learn how to best accommodate student learning. The strong relationship for R1: Total teaching experience (IV) and perceptions of whether AEC education can be delivered completely online, points to having educators with a depth of experience and being open to change. The strong relationship shown for R2: Have you ever taught using an online method before January 2020 and Experience in developing online materials demonstrates that a variety of experience will also support educators in a time of change. These relationships illustrate how educator efficacy can provide support for educators during times of crisis.
Originality/value
U.S. Architectural and Architectural Engineering educator pandemic OLE self-efficacy has not been previously been a focus of research efforts. This research adds to the body of knowledge by demonstrating how relationships between teaching experience and OLE can encourage educator self-efficacy during a crisis. Statistical analyses found a strong relationship between total teaching experience and perceptions that AEC education can be delivered completely online. A strong relationship was found between online teaching experience and positive experiences in developing online materials.
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Hean Tat Keh, Nicole Hartley and Di Wang
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of service separation on perceived value and intention to enroll in the higher education context, as mediated by perceived…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of service separation on perceived value and intention to enroll in the higher education context, as mediated by perceived performance risk and moderated by an individual’s regulatory focus.
Design/methodology/approach
Four experimental studies were conducted, a pilot study and three main studies. Participants evaluated higher education courses offered in either the unseparated (on-campus) or separated (online) mode.
Findings
Results show that: service separation influences perceived value; this effect is mediated by performance risk; and moderated by regulatory focus. Specifically, participants perceive higher education courses offered in the separated mode to have greater performance risk, which lowers their perceived value. This effect is enhanced for prevention-focused participants and mitigated for promotion-focused participants. Finally, service separation is found to influence intention to enroll in a course via performance risk and perceived value.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that higher education providers need to better understand students’ regulatory focus. In particular, online education providers should target potential students who are promotion-focused and implement strategies to reduce performance risk, which would give students greater assurance that the online course will be delivered as promised.
Originality/value
The present research is the first to examine the effects of service separation in the context of higher education, which has received relatively little attention in the services marketing literature. In particular, the findings shed new insights on the mechanisms underlying consumer perceptions of separated vs unseparated service offerings, which contribute to research on services marketing and higher education.
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James M. Kohlmeyer, Larry P. Seese and Terry Sincich
Examine hiring preferences of nonpublic accounting professionals when selecting candidates with online versus traditional face-to-face (FTF) accounting degrees.
Abstract
Purpose
Examine hiring preferences of nonpublic accounting professionals when selecting candidates with online versus traditional face-to-face (FTF) accounting degrees.
Methodology/approach
Surveys.
Findings
Consistent with Kohlmeyer, Seese, and Sincich (2011), this study revealed that accounting professionals, in general, indicated a strong preference to hire students with a FTF accounting degree as compared to a candidate with an online (OL) accounting degree. However, there were two significant departures from the results of Kohlmeyer et al. (2011). AACSB accreditation did help mitigate the respondents’ reluctance to hire students with OL degrees. In addition, nonpublic accounting professionals were neutral as to whether they would hire someone with an online accounting degree in the next three years. Public accounting professionals opposed hiring someone with an online accounting degree in the next three years (Kohlmeyer et al., 2011).
Practical implications
Online programs are going to have to be more proactive in persuading accounting professionals that an online and FTF accounting degree are equally desirable for hiring purposes.
Social implications
Students need to be aware of accounting professionals’ hiring concerns in regard to candidates with online accounting degrees.
Originality/value
Little research has examined the hiring preferences of accounting professionals in selecting candidates with either an online or FTF accounting degree.
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Purpose: Post COVID-19 disruptions, a new era of online education has begun in India providing new opportunities for imparting quality education. This study aims to explore…
Abstract
Purpose: Post COVID-19 disruptions, a new era of online education has begun in India providing new opportunities for imparting quality education. This study aims to explore, identify and understand the factors motivating students to enrol in online courses and facilitate decision-making for students, EdTech firms and policymakers at government level.
Methodology: The study used predominantly a qualitative research design drawing data from students pursuing graduation/post-graduation from universities in the Delhi NCR region. In the first phase, 10 groups with 8–10 members were formulated, and focus group discussions were held. The deliberations were analyzed to identify and screen factors influencing their choice to enrol in online courses. In the second phase, identified factors were presented to the students for giving their rankings to identified factors.
Findings: The student inputs in focus group discussions led to identification of factors, namely low cost, convenience, accessibility, quality education, personalized attention, availability of expert faculty, scholarship opportunities, attractive course design, availability of internet technologies like Google Meet, credibility of degree, usefulness of knowledge and skills learnt and value of online courses towards employability.
Research Limitations/Implications: The study is limited to students from the Delhi NCR region. Thus, findings cannot be generalized for other regions.
Originality/Value: Existing literature suggests that no study has been conducted in India to explore factors influencing student choice of online education. The growth of EdTech companies and government inclination towards online education necessitates research on student perceptions of online courses.
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Based on student responses to a set of customized questionnaires, this study aims to present evidence that while student evaluations of instructors and courses remain consistent…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on student responses to a set of customized questionnaires, this study aims to present evidence that while student evaluations of instructors and courses remain consistent, a designated mobile app enhances perceived online learning experience.
Design/methodology/approach
This study addresses quality assurance issues in accelerated online graduate-level education by identifying factors that influence nontraditional adult student preferences for using mobile applications (apps).
Findings
It is evident that affordability and functionality are the two most important determinants of nontraditional student preferences for app-based learning, followed by mobility and ease of purchase.
Originality/value
These findings underscore the potential of app learning to bolster positive perceptions of online education. Findings of this study imply that integrating additional app learning tools can be used as a quality assurance mechanism and enhance nontraditional students’ satisfaction through improving their perceived online learning experience.
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