Perceptions Of Graduate Students Taking On-Line And On-Campus Courses

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine factors related to a graduate student's decision to take on-line courses in agricultural and extension education and to determine if differences exist in perceptions related to the seven principles of good practice in on-line courses and on-campus courses in a graduate program. The population for this study was all graduate students who had taken at least one on-line course and one on-campus course in an Agricultural and Extension Education graduate program. The theoretical framework for this study was based on Chickering and Ehrmann's (1996) explanation of technological strategies for the "Seven Principles of Good Practice" for teaching at the university level. Findings suggested that a major factor in students' decisions to enroll in distance education courses was the "convenience" factor; however, there is a trade off for this convenience. On-line courses do not compare favorably with on-campus courses in regards to the interaction between students and students and professors. On-campus courses were viewed more favorably in regards to the principle "Good Practice Respects Diverse Talents and Ways of Learning." Students did not perceive distance education courses to be easier than on-campus courses.