Internet Learning Volume 1, Number 1, Fall 2012 | Page 40

Online Courses: Student Preferences Survey

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Table 1. Perceived IT ability and attitudes towards online learning
%
n

Average

Strongly
Agree

Agree

Disagree

Strongly
Disagree

Overall I have access to a computer most of the time.

11

1.2

84%

14%

0%

2%

I am confident browsing the internet

51

1.3

82%

10%

4%

4%

I am confident using media software

51

1.6

57%

29%

10%

4%

I find I need some technical assistance in using online
course tools.

51

2.8

18%

24%

20%

39%

A fully online course is useful in my gaining knowledge.

52

1.7

56%

29%

10%

6%

E-learning is helpful for assessment (aka standardized
quizzes) and access to my portfolio of graded work.

52

1.4

67%

23%

10%

0%

Fully online courses leave me feeling isolated

51

3.1

18%

6%

29%

47%

A benefit to online learning is the possibility for
international collaborations.

52

1.6

60%

25%

15%

0%

A benefit to online learning is flexibility.

50

1.3

76%

18%

4%

2%

E-learning enhances my interactions with peers
and instructors.

51

2.2

35%

25%

22%

18%

Perceived IT ability

Attitudes toward online learning

While confidence was high in using the Internet and media software, there were some
respondents (42%) who responded in agreement (strongly agree or agree) to the statement “I find
I need some technical assistance in using online course tools.”
In addition to reporting confidence, respondents reported that online course were useful
for gaining knowledge (85% agreeing or agreeing strongly), helpful for access to their portfolio
of graded work (90%), possibly a benefit for international collaborations (85%). The strongest
agreement was that online courses allowed for additional flexibility (94%). There was
disagreement reported from respondents to the statement that online course were isolating.
However, agreement was weaker (61%) for the statement “e-learning enhances my interaction
with peers and instructors.”
In terms of their perceived usefulness of various online technologies and tools, students
ranked the following tools beginning with the most useful and the average rating shown in Table
2 with 1 indicating the most useful score and 4 indicating the least useful score.