Distance Education: What Do Our Students Tell Us?

Abstract

Objective Given the rapid growth of distance education in social work, there is need to evaluate contemporary efforts in schools of social work, including multisite assessments of distance learning. This article reports multisite data addressing the question of how students enrolled in distance learning courses at two urban campuses (one using Interactive TV [ITV] and the other videotape) perceive their learning experiences. Method 142 students’ responses were received from voluntarily submitted survey questionnaires querying students regarding their experiences with the technology used in their course, their learning environment, the instructor's teaching skills, and perceived resource availability. Results Respondents at both sites were pleased with their learning experience, with 100% of ITV students and 75% of the students Who viewed videotaped courses indicating they would enroll in distance learning again. Conclusions The opinions of remote student respondents suggest positive learning experiences are had by students in schools of social work, particularly as they experienced these two delivery formats.