Contemplations of student perspectives towards online based learning environments

Abstract

Online courses have been considered as a time‐cost effective alternative to the traditional face‐toface classroom based learning environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the students’ attitudes and expectations towards an online course. To achieve this aim, a questionnaire was formulated and responses were collected by from 62 students at the Faculty of Engineering at Lund University. In addition to providing some background information, the students were asked to express their opinions towards different aspects of an online course design. These aspects include: (1) ways of delivering teaching materials, (2) methods for student to student and student to teacher interactions, and (3) ways of delivering assignments and exams. Finally, the students were asked to give their opinions regarding what they believed to be advantages and disadvantages with taking online courses. The results of the survey indicated that the students are not a priori averse to taking an online based course, despite that a majority of them expressed concerns over the examination method as well as the potential lack of interaction with the professor and other students. Overall, the findings imply that online courses could gradually be introduced in the current education plan at LTH, with continued consideration of the students’ feedbacks and their learning outcome.