Date of Award

3-28-2007

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Teaching & Learning

First Advisor

Lynne Chalmers

Abstract

Research has shown that post-secondary students do not complete online courses at the same rate as traditional on-campus students. Demographic and institutional online student variables were examined to see whether it could be determined which of those variables were significant in online course success. The Noel-Levitz Priority Survey for Online Learners™ was utilized to survey students at Bemidji State University, a Minnesota liberal education state university, who had taken at least one online course during the fall semester of 2005. Descriptive and inferential statistical tests were utilized on the survey variables. The results indicated that there were statistically significant mean differences between students who completed their online course(s) and those who did not complete their online course(s) on the variables of the course meeting student's expectations, the quality of instruction and the primary reason for failing to successfully complete the online course(s). The findings revealed that respondent's mean levels of importance placed on those variables measured by the survey were not satisfactorily met according to their mean reported level of satisfaction. The findings also showed that the primary predictor of successful completion was that of student employment. The findings also revealed that all of the respondent's mean levels of importance were ranked higher than their mean levels of satisfaction with those variables. Predictive discriminate analysis was utilized on the survey variables and a model was developed in which 56.6% of the grouped cases (completers and noncompleters) were correctly classified. As a result of the research it is recommended that additional questions be added that specify whether or not students have completed the online course as well as an questions aimed at the specifics of what student's expectations are when enrolling in an online course. These two areas of focus are essential for interpretation and analysis of the more broad questions already part of the survey.

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