Assessment of online course design for a lecture‐only pathophysiology course

Abstract

BIO 375 Pathophysiology at Missouri Western State University is a 4‐credit‐hour, upper division, lecture‐only course primarily serving pre‐nursing and other allied health majors. In response to demand from this student population, the course was offered in an online format for the first time in Summer 2011. It was designed to parallel the face‐to‐face version as closely as possible. Video lectures, abbreviated versions of lecture slides, study guides, and other materials were posted online. Quizzes and assignments were completed electronically, but exams were given in a proctored, written format. Of the 34 students who enrolled in the course, 31 finished, with an overall course GPA of 2.65. This is similar to the course GPA from the prior summer offering (Summer 2010 GPA = 2.53, n=19) and the average GPA across four regular academic year semester offerings (average GPA = 2.61, n=319). Students were surveyed at the end of the course for positive and negative aspects of the online course format. Positive elements of the course included flexibility of schedule and the ability to re‐watch video lectures (both selected by 77% of respondents), while 42% selected the requirement for proctored exams and 38% selected “less opportunity to interact with the instructor than in a traditional class” as negatives. These data will be used to refine the course structure for future online course offerings.