title: Health science students and their learning environment: a comparison of perceptions of on-site, remote-site, and traditional classroom students.
abstract: This study compared the responses of on-site, remote-site, and traditional classroom students on measures of student/teacher interaction, course structure, physical learning environment, and overall course enjoyment/satisfaction. The sample population consisted of students taking undergraduate courses in medical terminology at two western colleges. The survey instrument was derived from Thomerson's questionnaire, which included closed- and open-ended questions assessing perceptions of students toward their courses. Controlling for grade expectations, results revealed no significant differences among the on-site, remote-site, and traditional classroom students in any of the four cluster domains. However, a nonsignificant (and continuing) trend suggested that students preferred the traditional classroom environment. When results were controlled for age, significant differences emerged between traditional and nontraditional students on measures of student/teacher interaction, physical learning environment, and overall enjoyment/satisfaction, as nontraditional students exhibited higher scores. Students' responses to open-ended questions indicated they enjoyed the convenience of online instruction, but reported finding frustration with technology itself.
authors.affiliation: Department of psychology and community and environmental health at Boise State University in Boise, Idaho, USA.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Elison-Bowers
authors.forename: Chareen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Snelson
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Casa de Calvo
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D020375:Education, Distance; D004522:Educational Status; D004777:Environment; D006281:Health Occupations / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D012576:Schools, Health Occupations; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*