MA TESOL Students

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MA TESOL Students Perceptions of Online
CoursesDeqi ZengMA TESOL Program English
Department Southeast Missouri State University
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Why the Study?

• Online education has become an important
  component in higher education in the United
  States today.Sixty percent of courses offered
  at universities in the USA are available online
  (Zhao, 2003).
• Sixty-five percent of schools offerings
  graduate face-to-face courses also offer graduate
  courses online (Allen and Seaman, 2005)

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• Sixty three percent of schools offering
  undergraduate face-to-face courses also offer
  undergraduate courses online (Allen and Seaman,
  2005)
• Forty-four percent of all schools offering
  conventional face-to-face Masters degrees
  programs also offer Masters programs online
  (Allen and Seaman, 2005)
• .

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• Questions regarding the quality of online
  education and its impact calls for more research
• Students perceptions of online courses are
  important and legitimate source of understanding.
  

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• A practical purpose Seeking input and feedback
  from students for the purpose of improving the
  online courses.

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Background and contextwhy online?

• The unique feature of the student population the
  majority of students are practicing teachers
• The growth of the program
• The limitation of other distance learning
  technology, such as Interactive TV(ITV)
• The goal a program online

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Description of the study

• Research questions1). How students perceive
  the quality of the online course in terms of its
  content and the learning experience process and
  learning experience itself (such as participation
  in the class, interaction and communication,
  etc)?2) Among a number of given factors, which
  one or ones they perceive as key to their
  satisfactory online learning experience?

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• The questionnaire 33 items (open and close
  ended questions).
• 20 questions (item8 and items 10-29) are
  designed to collect information for research
  question 1
• Item 30 (with 7 sub-items) for research
  question 2Two open-ended questions

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• The subjects and the procedure
• Subjects were students enrolled in 6 graduate
  TESOL online courses the researcher taught
  between 2003 and 2006 spring.
• The administration of the survey
• Conducted online and anonymouslyData
  selection and analysis
• Included in the data analysis are eight
  sections of the 6 courses.
• Response rate 58 on average

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CoursesSurveyed Number of Responses
Theories of SLA 32
Methods in TESOL 14
Approaches to Grammar 9
Approaches to L2 Literacy 6
Research Methodology 9
Foundations in Linguistics 9
79
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Major Results

• Subjects
• Full time teachers 71 or 90
• Average of online course experience 1.5
• Working for MA degrees 74
• Working for certificate 36

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Brief summary of responses to research question1

• Students responses were very positive and
  consistent. Their responses indicate that
  overwhelming majority of students in the six
  online courses were either satisfied or very
  satisfied with the quality of content, learning
  process and learning experience.

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• A few highlights
• 44 out of the 79 students (or 56) described
  their OVERALL satisfaction with the online course
  (item 8) as very satisfied and 26 (or 33 ) as
  satisfied.
• 34 (or 44) of students strongly agreed that
  they were satisfied with the amount of
  information and skills (item 14) they had
  acquired from the online course and another 42
  agreed.

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• 68 of the students either strongly agreed or
  agreed that web-based courses can provide
  students with the same quality of learning
  experiences as traditional classes do
  (item10)compared to the 18 who either
  disagreed or strongly disagreed.

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• 78 of the students agreed or strongly agreed
  that online courses promote active learning
  (item13).
• 63 of the subjects agreed that online courses
  are more challenging than a conventional class
  (item15) and 53 claimed that they devoted more
  time and efforts to the online course (item16)
• Students perceptions of online courses are
  important and legitimate source of understanding.
  

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• 42 of the students strongly disagreed and
  another 44 disagreed that they felt isolated
  or unsupported (item17) in the web-based
  course.
• 50 of the participants even felt that they had
  more meaningful interaction with their fellow
  students via online discussions than in a
  conventional class (item 19).
• 58 of the participants strongly agreed or
  agreed that they felt their ideas are better
  expressed and received in the online class
  (item20)

• Students perceptions of online courses are
  important and legitimate source of understanding.

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• 83.5 of participants either agreed or
  strongly agreed that OVERALL they were
  satisfied with the learning process in terms of
  participation, interaction with peers and
  instructor (item24)

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• 25 of the students strongly agreed that
  OVERALL, I gained positive feeling about myself
  from this online course (item 28) and another
  53 agreed.
• 59 of the 79 students felt that they had gained
  more self-confidence from online learning
  experience (item 26) and 72 of the participants
  either agreed or strongly agreed that I
  believe online learning helps enhance students
  self-discipline and time management Students
  perceptions of online courses are important and
  legitimate source of understanding.
• (item 27)

59 of the 79 students felt that they had gained
more self-confidence from online learning
experience (item 26) and 72 of the participants
either agreed or strongly agreed that I
believe online learning helps enhance students
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Brief summary of results to research question 2

• The survey results indicate that students
  perceived instructors accessibility
  (item31A), instructors input (item31B) and
  course design and structure (item31D)as the
  most essential factors that affect their
  satisfaction with an online course. Instructors
  attitude (understanding, respect to students
  ideas, etc) ranks next to the three.

(item31B)
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• The amount of course assignments (item31 E)
  seems important with 48 ranking it as
  essential and 43 as important. item31 E)
• Students responses indicated that students
  prior online course experience item31 F) and
  their learning styles and personality (item31
  G) as less essential in affecting their
  satisfaction with online course.

item31 E)
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Factors (item31) Essential Important Somewhat Important Not important
Instructors accessibility 75.9 22.8 1.3 0
Instructors input 75.9 17.7 6.3 0
Instructors attitude 63.3 31.6 5.1 0
Course design and structure 72 28 0 0
Amount of course assignment 48.6 43.2 6.8 0
Students prior online experience 29.1 15.1 30.3 22.7
Students learning styles and personality 24.4 30.8 26.9 17.9
Brief summary of results to research question 2
Brief summary of results to research question 2
Brief summary of results to research question 2
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A brief summary of students narrative responses

• The results of the quantitative items are
  supported by students narrative responses to the
  open-ended questions and students comments
  provided with more meaningful and detailed
  information regarding their perceptions of their
  online learning experience and the factors that
  affect their satisfaction.

Brief summary of results to research question 2
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• Major advantages
• Online education increases the accessibility to
  teacher training courses and makes it possible
  for busy classroom teachers to take graduate
  level courses for their advancement in their
  career.S2 The major advantage is ability to
  fit in a part time basis when already working
  full time. Without the web option, I would not be
  able to pursue the program, so I am very grateful
  for it. Students perceptions of online courses
  are important and legitimate source of
  understanding.

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• S3 I am able to take classes that I wouldnt
  ordinarily be able to take because of where I
  live.
• S6 The online MA TESOL is making possible for me
  to pursue this degree while pursuing other
  interests and working full-time as well-its a
  God-send! Students perceptions of online courses
  are important and legitimate source of
  understanding.
• .
• !

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• 2. Students appreciate the convenience and
  flexibility of online courses.
• S5 Its great to attend class whenever
  it is most convenient for my schedule from week
  to week. That flexibility is ideal for my
  circumstances.
• S10 I think the major advantage of online class
  is being able to do the class when it is
  convenient for me. Some people might jump online
  first thing in the morning. ..others during the
  day or still other late at night. That is what it
  convincing me I had time to go the class because
  I could go when I had time.

thing
S10 I think the major advantage of online class
is being able to do the class when it is
convenient for me. Some people might jump online
first thing in the morning. ..others during the
day or still other late at night. That is what it
convincing me I had time to go the class because
I could go when I had time.
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• S8 Although there are deadlines, I like the
  flexibility of working on my own. In my own time,
  I like the fact that I can work at home and not
  have to drive to class.

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• Online courses promote active learning. On
  discussion requires written responses. Students
  feel that they benefit from better quality
  responses from their peers and commenting on each
  others messages make it imperative for them to
  read and think more carefully before they
  respond.

1. Online discussion requires written responses,
   students feel that they benefit from better
   quality of responses from their peers and
   responding to one another forces them read and
   think more carefully before they respond. More
   demanding, challenging, been able to comprehend
   and learn more

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• S6 One of the major advantages was not having to
  listen to people unjustified opinions. The
  responses were better thought-out. S7 I
  appreciate well organized lessons and
  assignments. We accomplished a lot. The writing
  assignments required me to improve my writing
  skills and required me to do the reading well and
  synthesized what I learned as well as express
  what I learned.

• S7 I appreciate well organized lessons and
  assignments. We accomplished a lot. The writing
  assignments required me to improve my writing
  skills and required me to do the reading well and
  synthesized what I learned as well as express
  what I learned.

• S7 I appreciate well organized lessons and
  assignments. We accomplished a lot. The writing
  assignments required me to improve my writing
  skills and required me to do the reading well and
  synthesized what I learned as well as express
  what I learned.

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• S10 There is more time for online courses to
  contemplate one's thoughts before submitting them
  for review by peers and/or the instructor.
• S11 Web-based courses are so nice. They allow
  you time to thoroughly read over everyones
  comments on the forum but on your own time. I
  feel like I can focus on this type of class so
  much better than in a regular classroom meeting
  or over the ITV. S11 Web-based courses are so
  nice. They allow you time to thoroughly read over
  everyones comments on the forum but on your own
  time. I feel like I can focus on this type of
  class so much better than in a regular classroom
  meeting or over the ITV.

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• S15 It is so much easier to work around a job or
  other things in your schedule. If I cant focus
  on the topic, I can walk away for a bit and come
  back later when I am ready to learn. I dont feel
  I ever waste my time, where I do sometimes in
  classes.
• S8 I am a quiet person and express my ideas
  better in writing than in classroom settings,
  where I always felt there were those who
  dominated all discussions. I feel I am able to
  contribute more and to better understand forum
  board comments than in class. I love online
  learning and see no disadvantage.

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• S25 ....I enjoyed online discussion. I am able
  to learn from others experiences, build
  self-confidence through feedback from both
  instructor and peers. People are more open to
  discussion in an online course.

S8 I am a quiet person and express my ideas
better in writing than in a classroom settings,
where I always felt there were those who
dominated all discussions. I feel I am able to
contribute more and to better understand forum
board comments than in class. I love online
learning and see no disadvantage.
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• S7 Major advantage is that you get input from
  every student. In a traditional class, you
  usually have a few dominant students that take
  over most class discussions. In my online class,
  everyone participates and some of the quieter
  students have a lot to offer.

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• Instructor and course design
• S9 I am very pleased with the online course.
  The instructor is always available when you need
  her, and her comments are professional, helpful
  and timely.
• S10 This is a great course! The instructor did
  an excellent job on commenting on different ideas
  and viewpoints, .real part of the learning
  experience of this class.
• . S17 I enjoyed this class very much! This
  course is well organizedwe knew at the onset
  what the expectations were. The course had
  clearly defined objectives, ,,, was clear about
  how to handle the course these are extremely
  helpful.. I received feedback from the instructor
  almost instantaneously.

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• S30 very impressed with this course and with
  the ease at which the course was presented in the
  web format. I feel the instructor did an
  outstanding job of making herself available to
  students and presented this course in the best
  format that allowed the most positive learning
  experience for students.

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Negative aspects of online courses

• Some major disadvantages of online courses
• Online courses are more challenging/demanding/time
  consuming/labor intensive
• Work better for some courses
• Lack of immediate feedback
• Online interaction cannot substitute face-to-face
  human interaction.

1. online courses are more challenging/demanding/time
   consuming/labor intensive

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• S8 Keeping up with so many discussions threads
  simultaneously is very overwhelming.
• S4 I enjoyed the class. However, I found it
  nearly impossible to keep up with everyones
  posting. There are so many.
• S40 definitely requires more time/efforts.can
  be too demanding
• S53 I am a people person I miss the dynamics of
  a face-to-face class.
• S24 You dont meet other students. It is more
  difficult to ask professor questions.

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• S17 received less and immediate assistance
  from the instructor than I usually do in a
  traditional class.
• S11 the topic is so complex and specialized to
  teach via a web-based formatthe subject matter
  begs for lots of examples, explanations and
  instructors input.

1. online courses are more challenging/demanding/time
   consuming/labor intensive

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Conclusion

• Online education has great potential and well
  designed web-based courses can provide students
  with the same quality of learning experience as
  traditional face-to-face class do.
• Web or face to face, it is still the instructors
  expertise, instructors devotion that hold the
  key to successful students learning experience.

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• Technology is not perfect. Online instructors
  need to make the best use of the advantages that
  the technology can offer and make efforts to
  compensate the disadvantages.
• Limitations of the study.