Article 12: Orellana, A., Hudgins, T. L., & Simonson, M. R. (2009). The perfect online course: best practices for designing and teaching. (pp. 463-473). IAP.
In this chapter, Northup
conducted a study that investigated the types of interactions that students
perceived to be an important part of online learning. Fifty-two masters degree students took part
in the study that used Online Learning Interactive Inventory instrument to
measure four interaction attributes: content interaction, collaboration,
intrapersonal skills and the need for support.
Results for the four interaction attributes found that in regards to
content interaction, participants preferred partial individualized courses with
some instructor direction and content delivered via audio-narrated
presentation. Participants also
indicated they get frustrated with having to participate in too many
interactive assignments. Collaboration
interaction results indicated that participants rely upon other learners and
their instructor to form the online learning community with online debates a
high preference. For intrapersonal
skills, the results indicated that self-directedness and embedded cognitive
strategies were most important to participants.
This enables students to control their time and engage in learning as
fits their schedule. For support the
results indicates that participants value timeliness of responses was a major
indicator of support in an online course.
Understanding the importance
of interactions to students helps to provide an engaging and positive learning
experience. From my own experience as a
student I agree that being able to self-direct is most valuable to me. The ability to manage my work/school/life
balance is crucial to my success in learning and being able to lead a normal
family. As the author states, the whole
reason why many students choose online courses is because of the convenience
and flexibility.
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