Internet Learning Volume 1, Number 1, Fall 2012 | Page 43

42 Internet Learning Comments Many respondents did send in open comments with 31 describing ways that online courses enhanced their learning experiences, with 29 describing some limitations and 14 submitting general comments that were by and large reflecting feelings about particular courses. Some highlighted the convenience: I love on line learning. As a full time working adult with a family who drives back and forth from MD to PA every day, it’s a necessity. I love UB, so I wanted to continue my education here, on line learning helps me to be flexible. Others mentioned the challenge of group work as a limitation I do not like group and team effort assignments with online courses. The point of choosing an online course over a lecture course is the appeal that you can make your own time for it. It’s very frustrating that I work 40 hours a week, have a family, yet still need to make time with my partners who are all full time students with no family responsibilities. Another view suggested that what is commonly viewed as a limitation, the lack of faceto-face interaction could be viewed as a benefit in terms of group productivity online classes are actually enhanced by the lack of face to face because students HAVE to communicate through the email system or phone, which improves productivity in the forced groups that every instructor (online or otherwise) insist on making us poor students participate in... Discussion The context of this study is a nontraditional educational program for healthcare managers. Coursework is offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in a mix of online and hybrid formats as well as in face-to-face classes that meet on Saturdays to be convenient for professionals working in the healthcare field. Literature and previous studies suggest that nontraditional students value the flexibility of online classes, appreciate prompt feedback from faculty, and valued group projects and discussion (Miller and Mei-Yan 2003). These survey results were largely in keeping with those views as respondents did highly value flexibility, strongly agreed that faculty interactions included prompt feedback, and discussion boards were perceived as a useful tool. Yet, there was some disagreement about the value of small group projects for fully online courses, and the lack of face-to-face interaction was viewed as a limitation by many respondents. Still most respondents did not experience feelings of isolation. Respondents to this online survey indicated a fairly strong computer access, Internet browsing confidence, and media software skills. This was echoed in many of the earlier studies of online learners as laptops, iPads, and smart phones becoming more common place on college campuses (Gormley et al. 2009; Harris et al. 2009). Respondents perceived the most useful online to