Evaluation of an Online Student Induction and Support Package for Online Learners
Catherine M O'Donnell [c.odonnell@ulster.ac.uk],
Deborah J Sloan [dj.sloan@ulster.ac.uk]
and Clive W Mulholland [cw.mulholland@ulster.ac.uk].
Campus One [http://www.campusone.ulster.ac.uk],
Institute of Lifelong Learning [http://www.ulster.ac.uk/lll],
University of Ulster [http://www.ulster.ac.uk],
Newtownabbey,
County Antrim, N. Ireland, BT37 0QB.
Abstract
This paper describes an evaluation of an online Student Induction and Support Package used to prepare both face-to-face and fully online students for learning online. It provides an overview of two components of the Package, the Primer and Survival Guide. It details the type and the nature of the student feedback requested via an online questionnaire and presents the results obtained.
Key findings suggest that using the same online Induction and Support Package for both face-to-face and fully online students is effective. Results also suggest that even those who self-report high levels of IT literacy prior to commencing a course of online study, can still benefit from completing such a Package.
A rationale for using an online Student Induction and Support Package and some possibilities for future research are also discussed.
If you would like to read the entire contribution, please click here.