Comparison of student perceptions of classroom instruction: Traditional, hybrid, and distance education

Authors : Mary Jo Garcia BIGGS

Pages : 46-51

View : 17 | Download : 5

Publication Date : 2006-06-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This article reports the results of a project that examined student perceptions of the psychosocial learning environment in a distance education classroom. The study utilized a survey instrument, Distance Education Learning Environments Survey insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(DELES); that was distributed as a pre-test/post-test to three sections of the same course taught in three distinct formats: traditional classroom instruction, distance learning, and hybrid insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(partially on-line/partially face-to-face);. The DELES survey is a web-based tool specifically designed to assess the learning environment using a standardized, validated instrument. At the beginning of the project, the DELES-Preferred was administered to the three pilot groups. It measures the perception of the “actual” environment, perceptions of the preferred environment, or the “ideal” learning environment of the students. In addition, a brief overview of the DELES instrument is described as well as the implications of the research project findings. Project results, based on the DELES administration, indicate that Instructor Support was rated highest by the students enrolled in the course taught in the traditional manner insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(4.68 mean); closely followed by the Hybrid course insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(4.66 mean); while the course taught totally at a distance averaged a 3.62 mean. However, Student Interaction and Collaboration averaged higher scores in the course taught in the Hybrid manner insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(4.23); followed by the traditional course insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(3.97); and then the distance course insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(3.12);. Specific scales of Personal Relevance, Authentic Learning, Active Learning, Student Autonomy and Satisfaction insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(scale of affect); are further addressed in the article.
Keywords : On line, Student Perceptions, Distance Learning, DELES