Barry A. Berger Professor of Regulatory Affairs Temple University School of Pharmacy QA/RA Graduate Program 1Discussion-BABTechDay2012

Discussion-BABTechDay2012 1

IN A PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL SETTING WHAT FACTORS IMPACT

STUDENTS CHOOSING A TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM OR

ON-LINE LEARNING EXPERIENCE?

Barry A. BergerProfessor of Regulatory Affairs

Temple University School of PharmacyQA/RA Graduate Program


WE WILL EXAMINE FACTORS IMPACTING THE CHOICE OF A TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM OR ON-LINE LEARNING EXPERIENCE IN A PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL SETTING.

ARE THESE FACTORS THE SAME AS OR DIFFERENT FROM THOSE THAT HAVE GENERALLY BEEN REPORTED?

Objective


A lawyer by background and not a social scientist.

Not at the beginning a big fan of on line learning alternative for various reasons.

Growth in On-Line learning in recent years

Corporate experience

Some Background


On-Line- most of the content is delivered on line with typically no F2F meetings

Traditional classroom- F2F Blended- balanced between on line and traditional (web enhanced traditional classroom)

Some Background


THE ROLE OF VARIOUS FACTORS

IN CHOOSING BETWEEN A

TRADITIONAL OR ON-LINE CLASS


TRADITIONAL CLASS -pros

Interaction with Instructor

Interaction with other students

Oral communications

Face to Face interactions


TRADITIONAL CLASS- cons

Location

Timing

Rigidity


On Line- pros

Convenience

Flexible

Time Discipline


On Line- cons

Like a Structured Schedule – Less Likely

Prefer Oral Communications – Less Likely


Survey

Sent to 315 students via monkey survey Additional handouts to undergrads - a total

of 24 (16 traditional , 8 on-line) Results consistent Of the 315 survey emailed out, there was a

total response of 134----59 traditional, 75 on-line


TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM SURVEY RESPONSES


Interaction with the instructor---- 87.7%

Interaction with other students-- 78.9%

What are the most effective aspects of your traditional

classroom experience?


Course topics available 46.7% Convenience 37% Location of class 30%

What are the least effective aspects of your traditional

classroom experience?


I like the face to face contact with the instructor– 46.6%

I like the face to face contact and networking with other students--- 24.1%

What are your primary reasons for choosing to take a traditional

classroom course(s)?


I much prefer a traditional face to face class- 69.5%

I prefer on-line classes --- 8.5% It really depends on the teacher and/or

the topic------ 22%

If given the choice of taking the same course with the same Instructor on-line or face to face which choice would you make


If on-line scheduling was more convenient for me due to work, travel, and/or other family commitments- 58.5%

Convenience of time- 49% Ease and availability of technology to use

Adobe Connect- 34% Certain instructors are great at teaching in

an on line format, so I would consider taking the course— 26.4%

What factors make you more inclined to take an on-line course?


I really prefer the traditional F2F class and would not take an on line class if I did not have to--- 57.2%

The classes I want are not always available in Adobe Connect---- 37.6%

Adobe Connect allows me to know the instructors but I never feel I truly get to know the others students in the class- 22.4%

Some teachers just don’t know how to use on line technology very effectively- 22.4%

What factors make you less inclined to take an on-line course?


I like meeting other professionals in the industry F2F and feel the networking in a Temple classroom works better than on line- 71.2%

I find its easier to focus on school work when I’m in a classroom- 57%

Certain classes are only available in a F2F format- 27.1% There are too many distractions at home

or the office- 25.4%

What factors make you more inclined to take a traditional

class(F2F)


I have personal commitments which make it easier for me to take classes at home-55.3%

My commute to temple U is too far- 36.2% Traffic to and from campus is

an issue for me- 36.2%

What factors make you less inclined to take a traditional

class(F2F)


I prefer the presence of the Instructor I prefer immediate feedback from other

students

I cannot go to campus to take a traditional classroom course

Important reason for taking or not taking a traditional

classroom course


ADOBE CONNECT-ON-LINE LEARNING RESPONSES


Convenience--- 98.7% Course topics available- 45.3% Ability to learn with others at companies

across the USA- 46.7%

What are the most effective aspects of your on-line learning experience?


Interaction with other students- 45% Awkwardness of participating

through “instant chat”— 35% Technical problems

with Adobe Connect- 30%

Please describe the least effective aspects of your on

line learning experience


I live too far away from Temple, so this is the only way I can participate in the program—39.7%

It was the most convenient way for me to take a course that semester- 38.4%

What was your primary reason for choosing to take a

course(s) on-line?


I much prefer a traditional class— 20% I prefer on line classes--- 45.3% It really depends on the teacher

and/or topic--- 34.7%

If given the choice of taking the same course with the same Instructor on-line or face to face which choice would you

make?


On-Line scheduling is the most convenient for me due to work, travel, and/or other family commitments- 93.1%

Adobe Connect is just as effective as being in a traditional classroom. I can interact with other students across the country and enjoy learning in this format— 40.3%

What factors make you more inclined to take an on-line course?


The classes I want are not always available in Adobe Connect— 50.8%

Adobe Connect allows me to know the instructors, but I never feel I truly get to know the other students in the class- 39.7%

What factors make you less inclined to take an on-line course?


I like meeting other professional in the industry F2F and feel the networking in a Temple classroom works better than on-line---- 46.8%

Certain classes are only available in a F2F format- 40.3%

What factors make you more inclined to take a traditional class (F2F)?


My commute to Temple U is too far- 61.2%

I have personal commitments which make it easier for me to take classes at home- 52.2%

What factors make you less inclined to take a

traditional class (F2F)?


On-line course is more flexible (timing) On-line course is more convenient(format) I cannot go to campus to take a traditional

classroom course On-line course is the only viable option to

take the course

I prefer the presence of the Instructor

Important reason for taking or not taking an on line course


AT LEAST IN THIS SAMPLING. THE FACTORS IMPACTING THE CHOICE OF TAKING A CLASS ON-LINE OR IN A TRADITIONAL FORMAT APPEAR TO BE THE SAME IN A PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL SETTING AS HAS BEEN GENERALLY REPORTED ELSEWHERE IN OTHER SETTINGS.

FINAL THOUGHTS


YOU CAN NOT CONDUCT AN ON-LINE COURSE LIKE IT WAS A TRADITIONAL COURSE.

FINAL THOUGHTS


BLENDED COURSE IS A GOOD MIDDLE GROUND

FINAL THOUGHTS


Faculty Learning Circle- As a faculty development model (they) are

effective because they bring together a community of scholars from different disciplines to share ideas and challenges and to produce a product to support great teaching practice at the university. An alternative to workshops?

FINAL THOUGHTS


On-line can be effective and a powerful tool if employed to fullest extent.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Documents

Barry A. Berger Professor of Regulatory Affairs Temple University School of Pharmacy QA/RA Graduate Program 1Discussion-BABTechDay2012