More on Virtual Learning

The latest NSSE report not only discusses physical classroom student engagement issues, but it also includes a section about online learning. Based on this research, the outlook for online learning is a promising one. Questions were given to more than 22,000 students from 47 institutions. And the survey says:

• At least 75% of their courses were delivered online for 1,128 (12%) first-year students and 1,637 (14%) seniors.
• Both first-year and senior online learners reported more deep approaches to learning in their coursework.
• Online courses seem to stimulate more intellectual challenge and educational gains.
• In comparison to f2f classroom learners, both first-year and senior online learners reported more deep approaches to learning in their coursework - 58 % of first-year students who take most of their courses online reported using higher-order thinking in their coursework; only 55% of classroom-based learners reported in a similar fashion.
• 62% of first-year students who take most of their classes online reported using reflective learning in their coursework; 59% of classroom-based learners mentioned reflective learning.