This study compared teaching strategies and student learning outcomes between on-campus and distance courses at a Midwest university. Interviews with history professors revealed common challenges for distance students like time management, attendance, and information overload. A survey of 84 on-campus students found most felt online course platforms had little effect on their success. However, the study was limited by not surveying distance students directly.

1. A Case Study Comparing Teaching Strategies and Student Learning Outcomes Between On Campus and Distance Courses at a Midwest University Mary Jo Davis December 7, 2005

2. Distance Learning-Is It An Improvement to Learning or a New Challenge for Students Growth and new technologies will cause exponential growth in both online and distance opportunities in the next few years What are the challenges for professors who want to teach an web, remote, or learning package course Who are the typical DL students What challenges face this new learning group when re-entering the world of education How can the process of higher education improve and insure the success of distance learners in the future

3. 1. Introduction

4. Technology is transforming education 56% of all 2 and 4 year institutions had online programs in 2001-2002 Estimated that over 68% will have programs by 2005 Less than 25% of today’s college students are in the traditional 18-25 age bracket It is predicted that higher education in the future will have traditional facilities, online facilities or a blend of the two National Center for Educational Study, 2001-2002

5. 2. Literature Review

6. Trends found in existing research Instructor Perspective Instructors must use technology as supplement to course work, not as substitute for it Instructional designer must keep in mind adult learning styles When designing for virtual classroom, instructors must effectively manage student interaction with the classroom and each other Instructors must wear three “hats” to be effective designers/instructors in the distance classroom Technological hat Pedagogy hat Social hat

7. Trends in existing research (con’t) Student Perspective Students in the DL class must be prepared for various challenges Must be self-starting, highly motivated student Learn to ignore multiple outside distractions Lack of visual communication cues that hamper effective communication Students should not view web content as excuse to not attend class, in remote site classrooms Don’t be afraid to ask questions Bring your own life experiences to the classroom to enrich the learning experience-help to connect lessons with real life

8. 3. Methodology

9. Professor/Instructor Interviews Professors chosen for interview were from all three DL class formats at the university studied: online, remote site, and learning package Interview protocol was designed to measure key issues in course format & design, teaching styles, and several other categories Semi-structured interviews were held to focus on questions and also allow for free flow of ideas and opinions Results of taped interview sessions were transcribed, tabulated, and common issues were listed in table form, including demographic data about professors teaching history in DL classrooms

10. Students Surveyed Three sections of the same on campus course were surveyed for their opinions of technology and learning-84 students total were surveyed On campus survey results were tabulated and trends discussed in the paper, although a direct comparison to opinions of DL students was not possible On campus results were also compared to the professor’s opinions of technological challenges faced by DL students for comparison to on campus students views Access to DL students was not available for this study

11. 4. Discussion of Results

12. Professor Interview Results History of teaching in DL environment ranged from less than 1 year to 9 years plus Most professors utilize web content in both their on campus and off campus courses, even in other countries which pose even more teaching/learning challenges Identified common challenges for students Time Management Attendance issues Low course completion rates Outside obligations & distractions Personality traits/learning styles that affect success Shortened class format Information overload Hesitation to ask questions

13. On Campus Survey Results Eighty four on campus students were surveyed in a 200 level course Majority of students in this course were between the age of 18-25 Most were taking the course as a required course for their major Over half of the on campus students felt the Blackboard classroom is easy to navigate and felt it had little to some effect on their success in the classroom Over two thirds of the on campus students have access to a high speed Internet connection either at their residence or on campus

14. 5. Limitations of study

15. Limitations to Professor Interviews Would have been beneficial to interview a larger pool of professors yielding more data for comparison In order to survey a larger bank of instructors, more long distance interviews would need to be done Important to focus on various formats of DL opportunities available May improve data and study validity if would include instructors from other educational facilities

16. Limitations to Student Surveys Needed to survey/interview DL students, and should have explored the difficulties with access before including them in original research design The lack of access to DL students curtailed ability to compare on campus to off campus students May have gotten more varied responses if survey had been administered to a 300 or 400 level course Wider range of courses surveyed may have provided more variation in responses to questions More responses would lead to higher validity of the study

17. VI. Contributions

18. Contributions of this study Provided a “snapshot” of current DL programs at the Midwest university studied Identified key strategies for professors to modify course design to improve student learning Identified leading challenges facing current DL students Identified other obstacles to successful distance learning Study could be used to educate potential DL students so they can be wise consumers when choosing the educational format for any future Distance Learning endeavors

19. Questions ? ? ?