| Edited by
Diane McGrath,
Kansas State University |
formerly Journal of Research on
Computing in Education
JRTE,
Volume 32, Number 1, Fall 1999
Is Choice Important in
Distance
Learning? A Study of Student Motives for Taking Internet-Based Courses
at the
High School and Community College Levels
M. D. Roblyer
State University of West Georgia
Abstract
As distance learning (DL) delivery systems become
more
popular, institutions must make decisions about
the extent
to which face-to-face (FTF) courses and degree
programs
can and should be replaced by DL. To begin
examining the
implications of removing the variable of choice
and offering
DL-only programs, this study gathered data on
factors that
motivate community college and virtual high school
students
to choose online or traditional course formats.
Findings
indicate that, for students who chose DL, control
over pace
and timing of learning was more important; for
students
who chose FTF courses, interaction with instructor
and students
was paramount.
Contributor
M. D. Roblyer is a professor of educational
technology
in the Research, Media, and Technology Department
at the
State University of West Georgias College of
Education.
Her research interests include examining factors
that affect
teachers integration of technology into
their teaching,
and the impact of distance learning and other
technologies
on student learning. She is currently editor of
the Research
Windows column for ISTEs Learning
& Leading
with Technology and chair of ISTEs
publications
committee. (Address: M. D. Roblyer, State
University of
West Georgia, College of Education, Research,
Media, and
Technology Department, Room 217, Carrollton, GA
30118; mroblyer@westga.edu.)
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Note. These Web sites were
valid when
this issue of JRCE went to press. We
have no
control over these sites, though, and the Web is
very volatile.
Please let us know if you find a broken link, and
well
do our best to update it.
Download the full article (PDF, 128 KB, PDF Instructions)
Copyright © 1999, ISTE (International Society for Technology in
Education).
All rights reserved.
| community college
programs, distance learning, Internet courses, student choice,
student motivation, virtual high school. |
|