Online Student Assessment SurveysAre they informative for students enrolling

in online classes?

Presented by Ashley SkylarAssociate Professor, Dept. of Special EducationFaculty Associate, Faculty Technology Center

Chair, Academic Technology CommitteeCSU Northridge

Rationale• CSUN-With the increased number of students taking online

classes across campus (Sp 2006- Online Enrollments 2738; Sp 2011 Online enrollments 8248), do students have the technology skill competencies and learning style characteristics to be successful in an online class?

• Learning Style- Individual attributes such as procrastination, time availability, motivation are predictors of success in online learning (Hartman, 2001)

• Technology Competency- If students do not possess basic technical competencies, they will quickly become frustrated and may drop out of the online course (smartmeasure.com).

Summer 2011 Pilot of Survey

n=194 students• Students who were enrolled in six ONLINE

classes over the SU 2011 semester took the survey within the 1st week of classes

• 80% (157 students) found the survey helpful; Comments from some students indicated that the survey informed them of their online readiness in learning characteristics and technology comfort level

• 20% (37 students) did not find the survey helpful; 62% of these students had taken 2 or more online classes: Comments include- “I already know myself; I don’t need a survey to tell me about myself”; 4 students indicated that the survey would be helpful for new users

Statistical SignificanceStudent Online Readiness

Survey• Students who scored high on the online readiness learner style

characteristics before the class started showed a relationship that they did not have to change their learning style characteristics to match the course (p=000)

• Students who scored high on the online readiness technology items before the class started showed a relationship that they did not have to spend extra time learning technology skills (p=000)

• Students who scored high on the online readiness showed a positive relationship with the higher the # of online classes taken before (p=.005)

• Students who scored high on the technology readiness items showed a positive relationship with the higher the # of online classes taken before (p=.024)

Student Online Readiness Survey

Accessible at: http://studentvoice.com/csun/studentonlinereadiness• Two-part survey• Part 1: 10-learning style characteristic items

students rate on a 1-5 Likert scale (measures items like- time management, ability to finish assignments independently, ability to work independently, being a self-starter, preference for reading or listening to lecture materials, student-centered learning, preference for group discussions for learning, etc.)

• Part II: 10-technology/comfort level items students rate on a 1-5 Likert scale (measures items like- students’ experience or ability in using an LMS system, participation in online discussions, taking online assessments, navigating the Internet including bookmarking and downloading files, experience creating a presentation slideshow, etc).

Learning Style CharacteristicSurvey Item (iClicker Survey

Poll)I can stay focused when using the Internet for learning.

1. Never

2. Very Infrequently

3. Sometimes

4. Often

5. Always

1

5

Learning Style CharacteristicSurvey Item (iClicker Survey

Poll)I prefer learning about an interesting topic by reading about it rather than having it explained.

1. Never

2. Very Infrequently

3. Sometimes

4. Often

5. Always

1

5

I need to stay on task!!

Technology Skill CompetencySurvey Item (iClicker Survey

Poll)I know how to use a chat room.

1. No Experience

2. Little Experience

3. Average

4. Above Average

5. Advanced

1

5

Technology Skill CompetencySurvey Item (iClicker Survey

Poll)I am comfortable navigating the Internet, setting bookmarks, and downloading files.

1. Never2. Very Infrequently3. Sometimes4. Often5. Always

1

5

I am tech savvy!

Results 9/27/11-Current

Learning Style Characteristics

Technology Skill Competencies