Distance Education as Different Education: A Student-Centered Investigation of Distance Learning Experience

Many studies have evaluated distance learning over the years, but few have identified substantial differences between students learning at a distance and those in a traditional classroom in terms of course outcomes, attitudes, or retention of material. Nevertheless, as Florida State University's (FSU's) distance learning program became entirely web-based in spring of 1998, some faculty observed that distance students appeared to take increased responsibility for their education and exhibit a higher degree of involvement in their class work than the on-site students. To investigate this more fully, students in web-based and on-site versions of the same class were studied during the summer term in 1998. Examination of the two formats found little difference between the two groups in course outcomes and course evaluations, but differences in class demographics and class participation. Although course outcomes were somewhat different, the types of participation by the two classes were decidedly so. Students may learn as well and may record similar levels of satisfaction with a class, but the processes by which each group engages in the learning process appears to be considerably different.