Distance students were surveyed randomly by telephone during February 2005.
Results from these focus groups will be used to improve the DE courses at UWG.

The Phone Survey

Telephone Survey Results

1. Please rate the advisement you received as a distance student?
 
N = 96 % Numbers
a. excellent 20 19
b. good 67 64
c. needs improvement 2 2
d. does not apply 11 11

2. Did you receive advisement
 
N = 91 % Numbers
a. online 1 1
b. through email 6 6
c. by telephone 2 2
d. in person 52 54
e. self-advised 23 24
f. other ___________________ 7 7

3. Please rate the registration process as you experienced it as a distance student.
 
N=99 % Numbers
a. excellent 60 58
b. good 33 32
c. needs improvement 4 4
d. does not apply 2 2

4. Did you utilize any library resources as a distance student, either by visiting a library or using library electronic resources?
 
N=100
 % Numbers
a. yes 79 76
b. no 21 20
c. unsure 0 0

5. How satisfied are you with the availability of library services at West Georgia for distance students?
 
N=99 % Numbers
a. very satisfied 50 48
b. somewhat satisfied 35 34
c. not satisfied 4 4
d. does not apply 10 10

6. How did you initially receive a technical orientation to WebCT? More than one answer may apply.
 
N=97 % Numbers
a. through online information 16 15
b. through a live orientation 51 49
c. through the instructor 26 25
d. through the WebCT student printed handbook 4 4
e. through other class members 3 3

7. Did these orientations provide you with enough information to effectively utilize WebCT by the second week of your course?
 
N=50 % Numbers
a. yes 93 89
b. no 7 7

8. If you had problems accessing the course or utilizing WebCT in any way, which of the following did you utilize for help. More than one may apply .
 
N=95 % Numbers
a. the Distance Learning helpline by either email or phone 14 13
b. the instructor 1 1
c. another classmate 4 4
d. online instructions 0 0
e. other __________ 3 3
f. never had problems 77 74

9. a. (fill in from question 8) How successful was the Distance Learning Helpline in solving your WebCT problems? (Skip if answer to 8 is ‘f’)

 
N=8 % Numbers
a. very successful 82 18
b. somewhat successful 9 2
c. not successful at all 9 2
    b. How successful was the instructor in solving your WebCT problems? (Skip if answer to 8 is ‘f’)
 
N=10 % Numbers
a. very successful 100 1
b. somewhat successful 0 0
c. not successful at all 14 1
10. Overall, do you feel that you received prompt and courteous student support from West Georgia as a distance learner?
 
N=100 % Numbers
a. yes 90 90
b. no 0 0
c. does not apply 10 10

11. Compared to traditional courses, how much do you think you learn in West Georgia’s distance courses?
 
N=95 % Numbers
a. about the same in each type of course 63 60
b. I learn more in a distance course 21 20
c. I learn less in a distance course 16 15

12. How would you compare the level of interaction between yourself and your instructor and yourself and other students in your distance course? Was it about the same, greater, or less than in a traditional course?
 
N=93 % Numbers
a. about the same 45 43
b. greater 20 19
c. less 29 28

13. Do you think that there are enough distance courses offered at West Georgia?
 
N=50 % Numbers
a. yes 27 26
b. no 35 34
c. uncertain 36 35

14. If the distance course you last took were not offered via distance media, would you have driven to campus to take the course in the traditional manner?
 
N=95 % Numbers
a. probably yes 74 71
b. probably no 25 24

15. Where is the computer where you most often access WebCT?
 
N=96 % Numbers
a. at home 73 70
b. at work 11 11
c. on campus 16 15
d. other ___________________ 0 0

Click here for open-ended comments by surveyed students.

Return to DDEC Evaluation Index

UWG Distance & Distributed Education Center
1803 Maple Street, Carrollton, Georgia 30118
Phone: 678-839-6248 Fax:678-839-0636 EMail: distance@westga.edu

Last updated: June 28, 2005