MA TESOL Students’ Perceptions of Online Courses Deqi Zeng MA TESOL Program English Department Southeast Missouri State University

Why the Study? Online education has become an important component in higher education in the United States today. Sixty percent of courses offered at universities in the USA are available online (Zhao, 2003). Sixty-five percent of schools offerings graduate face-to-face courses also offer graduate courses online (Allen and Seaman, 2005)

Sixty three percent of schools offering undergraduate face-to-face courses also offer undergraduate courses online (Allen and Seaman, 2005) Forty-four percent of all schools offering conventional face-to-face Master’s degrees programs also offer Master’s programs online (Allen and Seaman, 2005) .

Questions regarding the quality of online education and its impact calls for more research Students’ perceptions of online courses are important and legitimate source of understanding.

A practical purpose: Seeking input and feedback from students for the purpose of improving the online courses.

Background and context: why online? The unique feature of the student population: the majority of students are practicing teachers The growth of the program The limitation of other distance learning technology, such as Interactive TV(ITV) The goal: a program online

Description of the study Research questions: 1). How students perceive the quality of the online course in terms of its content and the learning experience process and learning experience itself (such as participation in the class, interaction and communication, etc)? 2) Among a number of given factors, which one or ones they perceive as key to their satisfactory online learning experience?

The questionnaire: 33 items (open and close ended questions). 20 questions (item#8 and items #10-29) are designed to collect information for research question #1 Item #30 (with 7 sub-items) for research question #2 Two open-ended questions

The subjects and the procedure Subjects were students enrolled in 6 graduate TESOL online courses the researcher taught between 2003 and 2006 spring. The administration of the survey: Conducted online and anonymously Data selection and analysis: Included in the data analysis are eight sections of the 6 courses. Response rate: 58% on average

Courses Surveyed Number of Responses 32 14 9 6 79 Theories of SLA Methods in TESOL 14 Approaches to Grammar 9 Approaches to L2 Literacy 6 Research Methodology Foundations in Linguistics 79

Major Results Subjects: Full time teachers: 71 or 90% Average of online course experience: 1.5 Working for MA degrees: 74% Working for certificate: 36%

Brief summary of responses to research question#1: Students’ responses were very positive and consistent. Their responses indicate that overwhelming majority of students in the six online courses were either satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of content, learning process and learning experience.

A few highlights: 44 out of the 79 students (or 56%) described their OVERALL satisfaction with the online course (item #8) as “very satisfied” and 26 (or 33 %) as “satisfied”. 34 (or 44%) of students “strongly agreed” that they were “satisfied with the amount of information and skills” (item #14) they had acquired from the online course and another 42% “agreed”.

68% of the students either “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that “web-based courses can provide students with the same quality of learning experiences as traditional classes do” (item#10)[compared to the 18% who either “disagreed” or “strongly disagreed”].

78% of the students “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that “online courses promote active learning” (item#13). 63% of the subjects agreed that “online courses are more challenging than a conventional class” (item#15) and 53% claimed that they “devoted more time and efforts to the online course” (item#16) Students’ perceptions of online courses are important and legitimate source of understanding.

42% of the students “strongly disagreed” and another 44% “disagreed” that they felt “isolated or unsupported” (item#17) in the web-based course. 50% of the participants even felt that they had “more meaningful interaction” with their fellow students “via online discussions than in a conventional class” (item #19). 58% of the participants “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that they felt “their ideas are better expressed and received in the online class” (item#20) Students’ perceptions of online courses are important and legitimate source of understanding.

83.5% of participants either “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that “OVERALL” they were satisfied with the learning process in terms of participation, interaction with peers and instructor” (item#24)

25% of the students “strongly agreed” that “OVERALL, I gained positive feeling about myself from this online course” (item #28) and another 53% “agreed”. 59% of the 79 students felt that they had gained “more self-confidence from online learning experience” (item 26) and 72% of the participants either “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that “I believe online learning helps enhance students’ self-discipline and time management” Students’ perceptions of online courses are important and legitimate source of understanding. (item #27) 59% of the 79 students felt that they had gained “more self-confidence from online learning experience” (item 26) and 72% of the participants either “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that “I believe online learning helps enhance students’

Brief summary of results to research question #2: The survey results indicate that students perceived “instructors’ accessibility” (item#31A), “instructor’s input” (item#31B) and “course design and structure” (item#31D)as the most essential factors that affect their satisfaction with an online course. Instructor’s attitude (understanding, respect to students’ ideas, etc) ranks next to the three. (item#31B)

The “amount of course assignments” (item#31 E) seems important with 48% ranking it as “essential” and 43% as “important”. item#31 E) Students’ responses indicated that students’ “prior online course experience” item#31 F) and their “learning styles and personality” (item#31 G) as less essential in affecting their satisfaction with online course. item#31 E)

Factors (item31) Essential Important Somewhat Important Not important Instructor’s accessibility 75.9% 22.8% 1.3% Instructor’s input 17.7% 6.3% Instructor’s attitude 63.3% 31.6% 5.1% Course design and structure 72% 28% Amount of course assignment 48.6% 43.2% 6.8% Students’ prior online experience 29.1% 15.1% 30.3% 22.7% Students’ learning styles and personality 24.4% 30.8% 26.9% 17.9% Brief summary of results to research question #2: Brief summary of results to research question #2: Brief summary of results to research question #2:

A brief summary of students’ narrative responses The results of the quantitative items are supported by students’ narrative responses to the open-ended questions and students’ comments provided with more meaningful and detailed information regarding their perceptions of their online learning experience and the factors that affect their satisfaction. Brief summary of results to research question #2:

Major advantages: Online education increases the accessibility to teacher training courses and makes it possible for busy classroom teachers to take graduate level courses for their advancement in their career. S2: The major advantage is “ability to fit in a part time basis when already working full time. Without the web option, I would not be able to pursue the program, so I am very grateful for it. Students’ perceptions of online courses are important and legitimate source of understanding.

S3: I am able to take classes that I wouldn’t ordinarily be able to take because of where I live. S6: The online MA TESOL is making possible for me to pursue this degree while pursuing other interests and working full-time as well-it’s a God-send! Students’ perceptions of online courses are important and legitimate source of understanding. . !

2. Students appreciate the convenience and flexibility of online courses. S5: It’s great to “attend” class whenever it is most convenient for my schedule from week to week. That flexibility is ideal for my circumstances. S10: I think the major advantage of online class is being able to do the class when it is convenient for me. Some people might jump online first thing in the morning. ..others during the day or still other late at night. That is what it convincing me I had time to go the class because I could go when I had time. thing S10: I think the major advantage of online class is being able to do the class when it is convenient for me. Some people might jump online first thing in the morning. ..others during the day or still other late at night. That is what it convincing me I had time to go the class because I could go when I had time.

S8: Although there are deadlines, I like the flexibility of working on my own. In my own time, I like the fact that I can work at home and not have to drive to class.

Online courses promote active learning Online courses promote active learning. On discussion requires written responses. Students feel that they benefit from better quality responses from their peers and commenting on each other’s messages make it imperative for them to read and think more carefully before they respond. Online discussion requires written responses, students feel that they benefit from better quality of responses from their peers and responding to one another forces them read and think more carefully before they respond. More demanding, challenging, been able to comprehend and learn more…

S6: One of the major advantages was not having to listen to people unjustified opinions. The responses were better thought-out. S7: I appreciate well organized lessons and assignments. We accomplished a lot. The writing assignments required me to improve my writing skills and required me to do the reading well and synthesized what I learned as well as express what I learned. S7: I appreciate well organized lessons and assignments. We accomplished a lot. The writing assignments required me to improve my writing skills and required me to do the reading well and synthesized what I learned as well as express what I learned. S7: I appreciate well organized lessons and assignments. We accomplished a lot. The writing assignments required me to improve my writing skills and required me to do the reading well and synthesized what I learned as well as express what I learned.

S10: There is more time for online courses to contemplate one's thoughts before submitting them for review by peers and/or the instructor. S11: Web-based courses are so nice. They allow you time to thoroughly read over everyone’s comments on the forum but on your own time. I feel like I can focus on this type of class so much better than in a regular classroom meeting or over the ITV. S11: Web-based courses are so nice. They allow you time to thoroughly read over everyone’s comments on the forum but on your own time. I feel like I can focus on this type of class so much better than in a regular classroom meeting or over the ITV.

S15: It is so much easier to work around a job or other things in your schedule. If I can’t focus on the topic, I can walk away for a bit and come back later when I am ready to learn. I don’t feel I ever waste my time, where I do sometimes in classes. S8: I am a quiet person and express my ideas better in writing than in classroom settings, where I always felt there were those who dominated all discussions. I feel I am able to contribute more and to better understand forum board comments than in class. I love online learning and see no disadvantage.

S25:. I enjoyed online discussion S25: ....I enjoyed online discussion. I am able to learn from other’s experiences, build self-confidence through feedback from both instructor and peers. People are more open to discussion in an online course. S8: I am a quiet person and express my ideas better in writing than in a classroom settings, where I always felt there were those who dominated all discussions. I feel I am able to contribute more and to better understand forum board comments than in class. I love online learning and see no disadvantage.

S7: Major advantage is that you get input from every student S7: Major advantage is that you get input from every student. In a traditional class, you usually have a few dominant students that take over most class discussions. In my online class, everyone participates and some of the quieter students have a lot to offer.

Instructor and course design S9: I am very pleased with the online course. The instructor is always available when you need her, and her comments are professional, helpful and timely. S10: This is a great course! The instructor did an excellent job on commenting on different ideas and viewpoints, ….real part of the learning experience of this class. . S17: I enjoyed this class very much! This course is well organized…we knew at the onset what the expectations were. The course had clearly defined objectives, ,,, was clear about how to handle the course… these are extremely helpful.. I received feedback from the instructor almost instantaneously.

S30: …very impressed with this course and with the ease at which the course was presented in the web format. I feel the instructor did an outstanding job of making herself available to students and presented this course in the best format that allowed the most positive learning experience for students.

Negative aspects of online courses Some major disadvantages of online courses: Online courses are more challenging/demanding/time consuming/labor intensive Work better for some courses Lack of immediate feedback Online interaction cannot substitute face-to-face human interaction. online courses are more challenging/demanding/time consuming/labor intensive

S8: Keeping up with so many discussions threads simultaneously is very overwhelming. S4: I enjoyed the class. However, I found it nearly impossible to keep up with everyone’s posting. There are so many. S40: …definitely requires more time/efforts….can be too demanding S53: I am a people person… I miss the dynamics of a face-to-face class. S24: You don’t meet other students. It is more difficult to ask professor questions.

S17: … received less and immediate assistance from the instructor than I usually do in a traditional class. S11: the topic is so complex and specialized to “teach” via a web-based format…the subject matter begs for lots of examples, explanations and instructor’s input. online courses are more challenging/demanding/time consuming/labor intensive

Conclusion Online education has great potential and well designed web-based courses can provide students with the same quality of learning experience as traditional face-to-face class do. Web or face to face, it is still the instructor’s expertise, instructor’s devotion that hold the key to successful students’ learning experience.

Technology is not perfect Technology is not perfect. Online instructors need to make the best use of the advantages that the technology can offer and make efforts to compensate the disadvantages. Limitations of the study.