The Effect of Instructor's Use of Audio E-mail Messages on Student Participation in and Perceptions of Online Learning: A preliminary case study

The researchers, in the context of LEAD 713, a graduate-level online course at Regent University, consider whether the systematic use of instructor-initiated audio e-mails (as a supplement to regular textual forms of communication) will increase students' participation in group discussion and result in more favorable student perceptions of student/faculty relationships and quality of group discussion, a greater sense or feeling of online community, and a higher degree of satisfaction with the overall learning experience. The results as a whole appear to challenge the researchers' initial assumptions. Benefits of audio e-mails are discussed and future research designs are suggested.