Media-literacy education provides a way for people to assess and critically evaluate media images. Traditional media literacy programs have mitigated the negative effects of idealized media imagery such as reduced self-esteem, eating-disordered attitudes, and low body-satisfaction among women. Although education is moving increasingly to online platforms, the potential of media literacy education delivered online has not been evaluated. Based on social comparison and objectification theories, the purpose of this study was to quantitatively assess the comparative efficacy of online and face-to-face media literacy education programs. A quasi-experimental design using pre- and post-media literacy education program questionnaires was used. A mixed-method analysis of variance evaluated change in self-esteem, eating-disordered attitudes, and body satisfaction among college students. The study was conducted using a sample that included both male and female students from undergraduate classes. The study groups included traditional and online classes. Results for all three variables revealed that the media literacy education program did not have the predicted impact. Significant differences were not found between the online experimental (n = 65), face-to-face experimental (n = 50), and the online control group (n = 44) even though a significant main effect for time was found. The adverse effects of ubiquitous idealized media images remain well-documented; however, the swiftly evolving, increasingly balkanized, present-day media landscape may necessitate both an accommodating theoretical foundation and updated intervention instruments.

The study investigated the faculty perception of quality in online courses. The areas considered were media richness, interaction, synchronism, self-efficacy, online teaching experience, and education level. Participants included members of three online Yahoo groups that were designed for online faculty members. There were 510 total members surveyed with 203 respondents for a response rate of 39.8%. The study was conducted during the spring semester of 2009. Of the six research questions four were supported. Media richness, interaction, and self-efficacy were related to perceived quality. Media richness explained a total of 7.9% of the variability in faculty ratings of perceived online course quality. The results for interaction indicate that a relationship was not found between interactions with students in general and perceived quality of the online course by faculty, however, a significant relationship was found between several of the individual interaction items and the quality items. The self-efficacy variable explained 30.6% of the variability in faculty ratings of perceived quality. Online teaching experience was related to perceived quality when controlling for course variables. Synchronism and faculty education level were not related to perceived quality. Conclusions based on the findings indicated that to increase faculty perception, course developers should focus on building classes with rich learning environments, creating feelings of perceived quality, and fostering commitment to the classroom. Courses that have media rich content convey the message to the student better than courses without the inclusion of such content. Interaction is the cornerstone of online learning so multiple modes of interaction are necessary in online courses. Having self-efficacy allow the faculty to accomplish their goal, handle unexpected events, find solutions to problems, and handle whatever might occur in the respective courses. Allowing faculty members to upload media rich information for future courses could add value to the course. Selecting a Learning Management System that allows for a highly interactive classroom is important to faculty members. Future research studies should evaluate the capabilities of additional constructs as determinants of perceived quality from the faculty perspective.

Many studies have been done on the impact of online mathematics courses. Most studies concluded that there is no significant difference in student success between online and face-to-face courses. However, most studies compared "traditional" online and face-to-face courses. Mathematics educators are advocating a shift from traditional courses to student-centered courses where students argue and defend the mathematics under the guidance of the teacher. Now, the differences in online and face-to-face student-centered mathematical courses merit a more in-depth investigation. This study characterized student mathematical discourse in online and face-to-face Calculus lab sections based off of a framework derived from an NCTM standard for the students' role in discourse. Results showed that the discourse in both the face-to-face and online environments can be rich and productive. Thus, both environments can be viable arenas for effective mathematical discourse. However, this effectiveness is contingent on whether or not the teacher as the facilitator can help the students avoid the ways in which online discourse can be impeded. The characteristics of discourse, how they compare, and the resulting recommendations for teachers are discussed.

Online education has grown substantially over the years because of the flexibility it has given the student in acquiring an education. For many, higher education is now a reality instead of just a dream. With this educational format, traditional and non-traditional students are taking classes to obtain a degree or pursue lifelong learning. Unfortunately, some students are taking online classes without being equipped with the necessary skills required for successful completion. The purpose of the evaluation was to investigate the readiness factors of students taking online classes. The Readiness for Education At a Distance Indicator (READI) assessment was completed by students registered for online classes at Itawamba Community College in the fall 2007 semester. A sample of 250 students was randomly selected from the population. The instrument used in the study is adapted from larger instruments and has been tested for reliability and validity. The READI assessment results included variables of individual attributes, technical competency (computer and Internet), technical knowledge, reading comprehension, typing speed and proficiency, and learning styles – visual, social, physical, aural, verbal, solitary, and logical. Additionally, institutional educational variables included in the evaluation were ACT scores, online courses completed, total semester hours completed, and cumulative grade point average. Descriptive statistics were given for the variables and the correlational research findings were presented in respect to the research questions. Stepwise Multiple Regression statistical analysis was conducted to determine the correlation between the measurement variables and educational variables. Individual Attributes, Reading Comprehension, and Logical Learning Style were the contributory success factors in the online classroom. The analysis revealed that Reading Comprehension correlated to the ACT score and Verbal Learning Style correlated to online course completed.

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Student-athletes must constantly balance their athletic, academic, and social roles. Their dual career can easily be overwhelming. Missing classes because of intense travel can be disruptive to the flow of classes and material. Online education is one way to provide a personalized, portable, on-demand learning environment that is flexible regarding both time and location, doesn't require travel to and from campus, is self-paced, and is provided at the learner's convenience. The purpose of this study was to determine general concerns experienced by Virginia Tech student-athletes, as well as their perceptions and practices about online education. Understanding student-athletes' needs and wants can help promote high quality online course development. In addition, it allows educators to tailor marketing specifically to student-athletes and increases the likelihood that students will experience positive online learning experiences. Data was collected using focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a demographic questionnaire. Student-athletes from all varsity teams were purposively selected for two revenue sports sessions and two non-revenue sports sessions targeting 6-8 athletes in each group. Five key informant interviews were conducted with personnel from the athletic department. Participants seemed to want the best of both worlds, preferring the convenience of online courses, but also desiring regular contact and interaction with faculty and other class members (social component). The non-revenue athletes preferred taking classes in a traditional classroom to learn material. They preferred taking online classes when they travel, for time issues, or easy credit. Though all student-athletes stated that they took advantage of online classes, the revenue athletes seemed to appreciate them more and were more willing to take more online classes to help ease their schedule. A purely online education program would not result in balance. / Ph. D.

The motivation and importance of this study was influenced by my own experience of transitioning from traditional face-to-face to online instruction. For this study, I conducted telephone interviews with 12 instructors meeting the specified qualifications. I also conducted email interviews with participants for 5 weeks. Transcripts of all interviews are located in the appendices. I used a combination of first person, hermeneutic and existential phenomenological approaches to investigate the lived experiences of college and university instructors who have transitioned from traditional face-to-face to online instruction. Several minor themes were revealed. The overall theme is that the online classroom system is an emerging culture with some unique advantages. The paper ends with a major question to be further examined: Would the results be different if less experienced instructors were interviewed? / Ph. D.

Despite the steady rise in online education and increasingly empirical studies on related learning technologies and technology support, there is considerable evidence that the field has not kept the pace with studies related to online education administrators (OEAs). Further investigation was needed into OEAs’ practice of day-to-day administration of their programs. Therefore, this study examined OEAs’ perceptions of their areas of responsibility, tasks to be accomplished and skills and knowledge needed for them to get the job done. A three-round Delphi research technique was employed as a structured group communication method between five participants to answer three research questions. The protocol consisted of anonymous participants using online surveys to respond to several rounds of questioning. The research concluded with a group consensus. The results produced nine functional areas, 12 operational tasks and 14 competencies of skills and knowledge for OEAs. Based on the findings, it was now possible to illustrate an operational management competency model as a resource for the administrator in charge of an online education program. After conclusions were drawn, the study provided recommendations for future research.

Doctor of Education / Curriculum and Instruction Programs / Rosemary S. Talab / The purpose of this case study was to explore Teaching Presence in the undergraduate online Business course environment. This study explored the following three Research Questions: 1. How do undergraduate Business students perceive Teaching Presence in online courses? 2. What Teaching Presence components do undergraduate Business students find valuable in online courses? 3. How do exemplary undergraduate online Business course faculty demonstrate Teaching Presence in online instruction? The population of this study consisted of 20 undergraduate Business students and 3 student-nominated Business faculty. Participants included Business students enrolled in online Business courses. Based on the student interviews, the faculty most often nominated by the students as demonstrating effective methods of Teaching Presence in online Business courses served as faculty participants. Interviews of students and faculty were conducted during the Fall 2015 semester. There were 101 units identified for Research Question 1, with 46 units for the theme of "Direct Instruction", 36 for the theme of "Discourse Facilitation", and 19 units for the theme of "Design and Organization". The major findings from these research questions were that undergraduate Business students perceived online course Teaching Presence most through Direct Instruction. Students perceived prompting student engagement in discussions and encouraging student participation as important elements of the "Discourse Facilitation" theme. Students perceived good course design methods as being important to Teaching Presence. There were 245 units identified for Research Question 2, with 93 units for the theme of "Design and Organization", 88 units for "Discourse Facilitation" and 64 units for Direct Instruction". The major findings were that the "Design and Organization" theme was found to be most valuable to undergraduate Business students in the form of designing methods and establishing time parameters. Setting a climate for learning within the "Discourse Facilitation" theme and confirming understanding within the "Direct Instruction" themes were important to students when discussing what Teaching Presence components they found valuable in online Business courses. There were 81 units identified for Research Question 3, which consisted of faculty interviews focused on how exemplary online Business course faculty demonstrated Teaching Presence. The themes that were found in the faculty interviews were 30 units for the "Design and Organization" theme, 26 units for the "Discourse Facilitation" theme and 25 units for the "Direct Instruction" theme. The major findings were that the "Design and Organization" theme was found to be of the utmost importance to exemplary faculty when discussing the demonstration of Teaching Presence in online Business courses. Within the "Discourse Facilitation" theme, faculty emphasized the importance of drawing in participants and prompting discussion. Confirming understanding was found to be the most important aspect of the "Direct Instruction" theme. Recommendations for the research setting were in the areas of learning activity clarity, the use of integrated video lectures, enriched student-instructor interaction strategies, and technological tools to identify student comprehension struggles. Recommendations for future research including a study of Teaching Presence in different academic disciplines and in different academic environments, the efficacy of various technologies in enhancing Teaching Presence, and instructor attributes influencing Teaching Presence.

The aim of the research was to generate a cyclonic model for understanding the influences and processes of continuously improving management education in an environment rich in online learning technologies. The research questions were: 1. What is the nature of the cyclonic interactions observed in the transactions of a team of online management educators? 2. How might an understanding of cyclonic interactions, a. help refine action research, and, b. generate rich insight for online management education? The methodology was an action research project. The research team worked in an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) to continuously develop teaching practice in one unit of the MBA. The methodology matched the objectives of the project, and the appropriate rigour associated with qualitative, interpretive research. The results showed that theories of systems and relational dynamics, adapted to hermeneutics and aligned with other learning theories, can be framed by the metaphor of a cyclone to conduct research into teaching practice and build upon the theory base in the field of online education. Online management education is subject to reinterpretations. The cyclonic framework explains some of the changes. The project showed that a chaotic but organised cyclonic program development process in one particular MBA course was informative for and informed by the chaotic and cyclonic globalized business world. For the education of managers the cyclonic view was relevant. The approach was metaphorical and, therefore, opened new ways of seeing and speaking. Findings pertained to the nature of the cyclonic interactions, how an understanding of cyclonic interactions helped to refine action research, and how an understanding of cyclonic interactions helped generate rich insight for online management education. It was found that it was the asymmetrical impetus of imperfection that created the examples of cyclonic learning spirals formed as double feedback loops for improved understanding. Online education in the action research required cyclical enhancement of connectedness by teachers, stronger emphasis on relational considerations in learning, and heightened expectations of collaboration by educators. It became possible to correlate earlier conceptions of action research with cyclonic categories and analyse the parallels with events in this action research project. Models were developed and presented to explain cyclonic connections with hermeneutics, collaborative teaching, online resource development, and the environment of online management education.