ERIC Number: EJ1006615
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Jan
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1096-7516
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Comparing a Large- and Small-Scale Online Language Course: An Examination of Teacher and Learner Perceptions
Russell, Victoria; Curtis, Wesley
Internet and Higher Education, v16 p1-13 Jan 2013
This study explored how class size affects the quality of online language teaching and learning. Administrators and departments often make decisions about class size based on fiscal and budgetary constraints rather than on best practices in blended and/or online learning. The present study compared the experiences of instructors and students in two second semester online Spanish language courses. There were 125 students enrolled in the large-scale class and 25 students enrolled in the small-scale class. Each class had one instructor and no teaching assistants. Two instruments were used to collect data, a Teacher Questionnaire and an anonymous Student Questionnaire. The results indicate that a large class size negatively impacts students' satisfaction with their online language learning experience. Further, in the large-scale course, the quality and quantity of student-student and student-instructor interaction was limited and instructor expertise was underutilized since the large class size affected the instructor's ability to create an environment conducive to learning. (Contains 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Academic Achievement, Measures (Individuals), Electronic Learning, Online Courses, Best Practices, Learning Experience, Class Size, Expertise, Teaching Assistants, Spanish, Comparative Analysis, Student Attitudes, Teacher Attitudes, Educational Quality, Budgets, Educational Finance, Questionnaires, College Students, College Faculty, Interpersonal Relationship, Teacher Student Relationship, Blended Learning
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A