Singleton, E.S., Song, L., Hill, J.R., Koh, M., Jones, F.J., & Barbour, M. K. (2004, November). Online learning: Perceptions of useful and challenging characteristics. Paper presented at the annual World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare and Higher Education, Washington, DC.

1. Online learning: Perceptions of useful
and challenging characteristics
Ernise S. Singleton Myung Hwa Koh
esinglet@coe.uga.edu mhkoh@uga.edu
Liyan Song Frankie Jones
lsong@coe.uga.edu fsjones@uga.edu
Janette R. Hill Michael Barbour
janette@coe.uga.edu mbarbour@coe.uga.edu
University of Georgia
1

2. Purpose
· To report a continued study on adult
learners’ perceptions of useful and
challenging characteristics.
· Review year 1 study
· Report year 2 results
· Compare year 2 results with year 1 results
· Discussion

3. Research Questions
· Research Questions
· What components of online learning do
students perceive as helpful?
· What components of online learning do
students perceive as challenging?
· Research Design
· Questionnaire
· Interview

4. Results of Year 1 Study
Survey Item
Overall, I am satisfied with taking a Overall Satisfied 82.9%
web-based course. (Answered “Yes”)
Overall unsatisfied 17.1%
(Answered “No”)
How many web-based courses have Novice learner 28.9%
you completed? Experienced learner 71.1%
(Over 2 courses)

5. Year 1 Results:
Challenging components
Challenging Overall Overall Experienced Novice
component Satisfied Unsatisfied Learners Learners
Technical Problems 60% 54% 49% 59%
Lack of community 43% 90% 59% 54%
Difficulty 43% 63% 48% 40%
Understanding
goals/objectives of
the course
Time Management 28% 27% 25% 36%
•Percentage that participants within each group perceived challenging component

6. Year 1 Results:
Helpful Components
Helpful Overall Overall Experienced Novice
components Satisfied Unsatisfied Learners Learners
Design of the 82% 90% 86% 83%
course
Time 81% 45% 81% 78%
management
Comfort with 81% 63% 76% 77%
online
technologies
Motivation of the 77% 72% 77% 75%
student
•Percentage that participants within each group perceived as a helpful component

7. Results of Year 2 Study
Survey Item
Overall, I am satisfied with taking Overall Satisfied 18%
a web-based course. (Answered “Yes”)
Overall unsatisfied 77%
(Answered “No”)
How many web-based courses Novice learner 39%
have you completed? Experienced learner 61%
(Over 2 courses)

8. Year 2:
Challenging Components
Challenging Overall Overall Experienced Novice
component Satisfied Unsatisfied Learner Learner
Technical Problems 68% 36% 65% 46%
Lack of a sense of 31% 82% 40% 42%
community
Difficulty understanding 9% 55% 16% 17%
goals of course
Time Management 17% 9% 16% 17%
•Percentage that participants within each group perceived challenging component

9. Year 2:
Helpful Components
Overall Satisfied Overall unsatisfied
1. Well-organized content 1. Well-organized content
2. Clear objectives 2. Clear objectives
3. Motivation of the student 3. Comfort with technology
4. Comfort with technology 4. Time management
5. Time management 5. Motivation of the student
•Of experienced and novice learners.

10. Discussion
· Similar results in year 1 and year 2 studies
· Course design and organization are most helpful.
· Students’ are concerned with course planning and
implementation.
· Technical problems and sense of community are challenging.
· Future directions for online education
· Need for effective instructional design
· Be prepared for technical problems (because they are not
likely to disappear)
· Roles of instructors and learners in building online learning
community

11. Looking ahead…
· Branching out into other areas
· K-12
· Corporate
· Faculty