April 2002 — Features
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Improving Student Performance in Distance Learning Courses
Feedback on assignments also lets the students feel like they are an important part of the class. I try to return all assignments within a week of the due date. If students turn in homework a few days before the due date, I try to return the graded work to them within a day after the due date. Students have often complained to me about other instructors who do not return work until two or three weeks after it is due, which causes frustration among the students about the quality of their work. Although this problem is not limited to distance learning courses, it seems to be more disturbing for students in this environment since they don't have face-to-face contact with the instructor to validate their work.
In some cases, the course management software used for distance learning courses can be a stumbling block for students. Web Course in a Box (WCB) was used in the networking courses discussed in this article. Features such as assignment submission, which allows students to submit assignments to the course Web site rather than e-mailing them, as well as the online quizzes and tests make it very useful. Starting in the fall 2001 semester we switched to Blackboard CourseInfo, which purchased WCB, and I have found Blackboard to be very powerful. One thing that isimportant to remember is that students are much more comfortable with online courses once they are familiar with the course management software.
Conclusions
Eliminating student frustration is one of the main factors in improving student success in distance learning courses. If students feel they are empowered and have close contact with the instructor, then their learning experience in an online course will be a good one. Also, the testing issue in online courses will be minimized as we develop new methods of assessment. Communication is another key factor, because feedback is critical to keeping students involved in the class. Encouraging students to interact with one another is also important.
One of the best lessons that students take from distance learning courses is that learning can take place outside of a classroom. Distance learning also introduces students to self-directed learning and gives them the capability to continue their education throughout their lives. Thinking outside of the box is difficult at first, but it will provide educators with new methods to evaluate each student's learning and a better way to grade them in distance learning courses.
Reference
Palloff, R. and K. Pratt. 1999. Building Learning Communities in Cyberspace. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
