How do students really feel about interactive television?

Abstract

I continue to believe that distance education through interactive television has merit. All participating students felt moderately satisfied with the quality of their education regardless of the classroom type. We as educators cannot ignore the areas of lower satisfaction, however. To improve the quality of ITV educational opportunities we must look to enhancing the strengths of ITV and compensating for the perceived weaknesses remote classroom students face. The primary factor relies heavily upon the instructor. Students tell us that the physical presence of the faculty member is important because it greatly improves the level of communication both in and out of the class period. If we as professors can enhance and magnify that communication through such avenues as online chat rooms, virtual office hours, responsive e-mail, and remote site visits, even students at remote sites may find higher satisfaction through education at a distance