JOLT - Journal of Online Learning and Teaching

his paper examines the satisfaction levels of distance learning students with the education that they are receiving with this new technology. Specifically, the study compares the satisfaction of distance learning students who receive their primary instruction using this new platform with on-campus students in a traditional classroom setting. The findings, while preliminary, do provide a basis for drawing initial conclusions regarding the use of this new platform.

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One of the most vexing problems in distance learning research is the lack of comparability between the courses offered in distance learning and traditional MPA programs. While many programs have distance learning MPA programs and compile satisfaction indicators for students enrolled in these programs, it is usually not possible to compare equivalent classes across the two student populations. The CSULB MPA-DL program’s curriculum is nearly identical to the curriculum offered to traditional on-campus students. Specifically, the core courses are identical and are often taught by the same instructors. This study explores the student satisfaction scores for four (4) core courses that are offered in both the distance learning and on-campus programs. These courses include: an introductory/foundations course; a course in public budgeting and finance; a course in research methods; and a policy analysis course.

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Once the equivalency of the courses was established, the distance learning sections of the course were compared to two on-campus sections of the same course.

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Each of the courses was offered in the same semester by the same instructor. Data were collected from student evaluation of instruction surveys that were routinely distributed during the last two weeks of each class.

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It appears that satisfaction is more a function of the instructor in the course rather than the mode of delivery.

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