Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter XXVIII
Empirical Study of
Students' Perceptions of
Online Courses
Judith C. Simon
The University of Memphis, USA
Lloyd D. Brooks
The University of Memphis, USA
Ronald B. Wilkes
The University of Memphis, USA
ABSTRACT
The recent proliferation of availability of online courses and programs has caused some
concerns related to ensuring that the time and cost investments provide beneficial results,
both to students and the institutions providing the material. Students' perceptions of these
programs are likely to affect their interest in enrolling in them. Schools need an awareness
of these student perceptions to determine if a need exists to modify the delivery of online
programs. This study was designed to determine current perceptions of online programs
by potential students, compared with the traditional on-campus environment. Findings
indicate those issues that are most important to students in course delivery and their beliefs
as to whether these issues are more likely to be delivered through online or through
traditional on-campus courses.
INTRODUCTION
More than 14 million persons participated in online classes in the year 2000, and some
predictions have suggested that e-learning will become a $2 billion industry by 2004 (Peltz,
