Design of Online Courses: Implications for Student Time Management

Carole E. Goodson; Susan L. Miertschin; Barbara Louise Stewart

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Conference: 2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Publication Date: June 15, 2014
Start Date: June 15, 2014
End Date: June 18, 2014
ISSN: 2153-5965
Conference Session: Applications of Online Computing
Tagged Division: Computers in Education
Page Count: 16
Page Numbers: 24.372.1 - 24.372.16
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--20263
Permanent URL: https://strategy.asee.org/20263
Download Count: 522

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Paper Authors

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Carole E. Goodson University of Houston (CoT)

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Carole Goodson is a Professor of Technology at the University of Houston. As an active member of ASEE, she is a member of the Academy of Fellows, a past Editor of the Journal of Engineering Technology, a past Chair of PIC IV and the ERM Division, and a past Chair of the Gulf Southwest Section of ASEE.

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Susan L. Miertschin University of Houston (CoT)

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Susan L. Miertschin is an Associate Professor teaching in the Computer Information Systems program at University of Houston. Her teaching interests are in the development of information systems applications and the complementary nature of back-end developer and front-end developer skill sets. Her research interests are program and student assessment, the impact of instructional technology on student learning, and the improvement of e-learning environments and experiences.

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Barbara Louise Stewart

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Abstract

Design of On-line Courses: Implications for Student Time ManagementThe Chronicle of Higher Education reported that - from a student's perspective - the predominantdifference between online courses and face-to -face courses is probably time management,stating that in “online, there's no teacher taking roll. ... You've got to be prepared to be organized,and you've got to keep up with the work.” (May 11, 2001 C of Higher ED). This perspectivewas echoed in a study by the authors (2011) and in this current study in which students reported: I’ve learned, from taking online courses, that getting work done becomes second-nature more so than in face-to-face classes I have developed the ability to not procrastinate during the semester and that has carried over into my daily life.In designing online courses, the instructor must enable students to engage in a learningenvironment that allows them to successfully complete assignments and ultimately meet courselearning outcomes. Noting that effective time management is important to the academic successof these students, this paper investigates factors that can be addressed by faculty in designingtheir on-line courses.Previous research (2011) implied a relationship between course format and students managementof time. Not only did online students report better time management skills but data suggested thatthis relationship was stronger for those students who had the most experience in online courses.As a follow-up, the authors explored the time management course features that students usedmost frequently, along with those that they perceived to be the most beneficial. This currentstudy also explores students’ use and perceptions of the impact of elements such as orientationmaterials, course calendar, chapter study guides, assignment availability, due date flexibility, latepolicies, etc. The survey was completed by 124 students enrolled in five undergraduate courses,including courses in information technology, statistics, research, and supervision.Using the results of this survey and related literature, this paper will address the following issues. 1. What course features enhance the student’s ability to manage their time; which features do students use; which do they perceive to be most beneficial? 2. How can instructors design courses to have a positive impact on student time management skills?Results will be presented with implications for on-line delivery of courses.

Citation
Format

Goodson, C. E., & Miertschin, S. L., & Stewart, B. L. (2014, June), Design of Online Courses: Implications for Student Time Management Paper presented at 2014 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Indianapolis, Indiana. 10.18260/1-2--20263

TY  - CPAPER
AB  -                          Design of On-line Courses: Implications                             for Student Time ManagementThe Chronicle of Higher Education reported that - from a student&#39;s perspective - the predominantdifference between online courses and face-to -face courses is probably time management,stating that in “online, there&#39;s no teacher taking roll. ... You&#39;ve got to be prepared to be organized,and you&#39;ve got to keep up with the work.” (May 11, 2001 C of Higher ED). This perspectivewas echoed in a study by the authors (2011) and in this current study in which students reported:       I’ve learned, from taking online courses, that getting work done becomes second-nature       more so than in face-to-face classes       I have developed the ability to not procrastinate during the semester and that has carried       over into my daily life.In designing online courses, the instructor must enable students to engage in a learningenvironment that allows them to successfully complete assignments and ultimately meet courselearning outcomes. Noting that effective time management is important to the academic successof these students, this paper investigates factors that can be addressed by faculty in designingtheir on-line courses.Previous research (2011) implied a relationship between course format and students managementof time. Not only did online students report better time management skills but data suggested thatthis relationship was stronger for those students who had the most experience in online courses.As a follow-up, the authors explored the time management course features that students usedmost frequently, along with those that they perceived to be the most beneficial. This currentstudy also explores students’ use and perceptions of the impact of elements such as orientationmaterials, course calendar, chapter study guides, assignment availability, due date flexibility, latepolicies, etc. The survey was completed by 124 students enrolled in five undergraduate courses,including courses in information technology, statistics, research, and supervision.Using the results of this survey and related literature, this paper will address the following issues.   1. What course features enhance the student’s ability to manage their time; which features      do students use; which do they perceive to be most beneficial?   2. How can instructors design courses to have a positive impact on student time      management skills?Results will be presented with implications for on-line delivery of courses.
AU  - Carole E. Goodson
AU  - Susan L. Miertschin
AU  - Barbara Louise Stewart
CY  - Indianapolis, Indiana
DA  - 2014/06/15
PB  - ASEE Conferences
TI  - Design of Online Courses: Implications for Student Time Management
UR  - https://strategy.asee.org/20263
DO  - 10.18260/1-2--20263
ER  -