Student E-Learning Perceptions

The purpose of this study is to describe students' experiences and perceptions of online courses based on student reflections, interviews, and observations. This study hopes to describe a) the characteristics of online classes; b) the positive and negative aspects of online courses as experienced by students; c) what instructors can do to improve the teaching of online courses; and d) how students perceive attributes of the online learning environment as contributing to or hindering their learning.

The purpose in selecting an Online Focus group for this study is to allow you (Students and Participants in online education) to express you opinions, views, and perceptions in an environment that allows you to agree, disagree, or expand on each other’s ideas.

Question 1

1. I realize that you may have had a choice of online or traditional face-to-face instruction for this course, why did you decide to enroll in the online version?

Question 2

2. Tell me what you see to be the advantages and disadvantages of taking a class online?

Question 3

3. Online classes can be very different in the way that they work. Can you describe the class to me, how does it work, what do you typically do in the class? For example what are the assignments like? How does the teacher or instructor present information?


a. What do you think about that?

Question 4

4. How does the instructor assess your work/participation in the class? (what is this based on)


a. How do you go about doing the graded assignments?
b. If there are tests. How do you find the answers, or study for the tests?
c. If there are papers. How do you find the topics? How do you prepare and find the information?

Question 5

5. What aspect of the course or what methods are most useful for you (in an online course that you have or are taking)? Describe how they work for you?

Question 6

6. If learning is acquiring knowledge, attitudes, or skills from study, instruction, or experience.

a. What methods are used to teach in this class? What works or does not work for your learning in this class? Why or why not?
b. How would you describe the way you learn in this class? (If you are learning)