Test Drive Online Education: How a Simulated Online Learning Experience Influences Prospective Student Perceptions, Attitudes, and Behaviors

online education;higher education;simulation;virtual event;online students;online learning;Communication

Bermudez, ViviannaHahn, Taylor W. ;

Johns Hopkins University

关键词: online education;    higher education;    simulation;    virtual event;    online students;    online learning;    Communication;   

Others  :  https://jscholarship.library.jhu.edu/bitstream/handle/1774.2/58701/BERMUDEZ-THESIS-2017.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

瑞士|英语

来源: JOHNS HOPKINS DSpace Repository

【 摘 要 】

The online education marketplace for higher education has become increasing saturated with competition since the advent of the World Wide Web. Academic institutions have had to find innovative ways to attract new online students. This thesis sought to examine if and how participation in a simulated online learning experience influenced prospective online students’ decision to pursue an online degree program. Using survey and in-depth interview methodologies with 20 prospective online students, this study measured the perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors of participants before and after taking part in a simulated online learning event. One important finding indicated that participation in the simulation demystified the online learning environment, thus alleviating curiosities and anxieties associated with online learning. Results also revealed two different cohorts of participants—experienced, stealth learners and inexperienced, persistent learners—indicating that the level of online learning experience participants had informed how they behaved in the simulation. This thesis suggests that participation in a simulated online learning experience better informs prospective online students in their decision to pursue an online degree program.