DL Course Evaluation Summaries for Fall 2003

Overall analysis of student course evaluation summaries as prepared by faculty teaching distance courses. The results were presented to DL Steering Committee members for discussion of distance program improvements, and action as needed,

What went well in Distance Learning Classes

  1. Students liked ability to access material on their own time.
  2. More students have experience with distance learning coming into the course.
  3. Online courses provide students with technology skills and lessons in self-discipline.
  4. Students like ability to communicate quickly.
  5. One instructor had great success with sending personal invitations to a face-to-face orientation session. Good idea! Share this idea in newsletter.
  6. Students utilized library website and other online resources effectively.

What was problematic or should be improved

  1. Some students miss face-to-face interaction and wanted to get to know classmates better.
  2. Some students tend to procastinate.
  3. Course specific concerns.
  4. Some students didn’t like chat sessions.
  5. In one case, there were too many students enrolled in the online course (47).
  6. Some students expected assignments to be returned more quickly than they were. Address in training.

Planned changes for future delivery of course, based on students' feedback

  1. Make sure students understand correlation between interaction level and course success. Address in student orientation materials.
  2. Be careful about having unnecessary assignments. Make sure workload is meaningful.
  3. Course specific changes not related to distance delivery such as textbook, assignments, etc.
  4. Instructor to make sure that students understand participation requirements and how to use WebCT effectively.
  5. Provide links from syllabus or schedule to assignments and presentations. Good idea! Share in newsletter and training.
  6. Look for better ways to develop group assignments that are effective and fair. Article in newsletter. Had training session on this topic but it was poorly attended.

Biggest adjustments required for distance instructors

Most instructors noted that they had been teaching via distance for several terms and no longer had to make adjustments.

Level of student services, DDEC, and instructor support

  1. Many comments noting outstanding support. No negatives.