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Online and Distance Education Commons

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Full-Text Articles in Online and Distance Education

What Motivates Students In The Online Communication Classroom? An Exploration Of Self-Determination Theory, Laura Jacobi Jan 2018

What Motivates Students In The Online Communication Classroom? An Exploration Of Self-Determination Theory, Laura Jacobi

Communication Studies Department Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine instructional strategies used to motivate students to engage in online communication courses. Eighteen undergraduate students, seven graduate students, and ten faculty members were interviewed individually or in small focus groups. Results indicate the significance of instructional strategies that promote autonomy, perceived competence, and relatedness in motivating students. Two instructional strategies that promote autonomy (i.e., conveying choice in instructional language and validating negative feelings associated with arduous or tedious tasks) were not discussed by participants in this study, which poses interesting challenges for instructors. The results reveal the utility of Self-Determination Theory in …


The Structure Of Discussions In An Online Communication Course: What Do Students Find Most Effective?, Laura Jacobi Jan 2017

The Structure Of Discussions In An Online Communication Course: What Do Students Find Most Effective?, Laura Jacobi

Communication Studies Department Publications

The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of students regarding what was effective about the way in which the asynchronous discussions were structured in an upper level online organizational communication course. Surveys from 27 student participants were used, with questions focused upon the structure of discussions in the online course as compared to other online courses and to traditional classrooms. Results indicate structured and relevant discussion prompts, small group placement, visible postings, and required weekly postings as significant factors to student success. The majority of students also found online discussions more effective than live discussions in traditional …


The Trifecta Approach And More: Student Perspectives On Strategies For Successful Online Lectures, Laura Jacobi Jan 2016

The Trifecta Approach And More: Student Perspectives On Strategies For Successful Online Lectures, Laura Jacobi

Communication Studies Department Publications

The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of students regarding what was effective about the way in which the online lectures were structured in an upper level online organizational communication course. Student evaluations from 27 students were used, with questions focused upon the structure of lectures in the online course as compared to other online courses and to traditional classrooms. Qualitative analyses reveal the use of the trifecta approach, the use of audio voice-overs with PowerPoint slides, the concise nature of lectures, the ability to review them, and the use of key points as significant to student …