Share Paper: Desired and Experienced Levels of Connectivity to Various Components of an Asynchronous, Online, Distance Degree Program

  1. Kari Chiasson, University of North Dakota, United States
  2. Patti Mahar, University of North Dakota, United States
  3. Katherine Terras, University of North Dakota, United States
  4. Mary Baker, University of North Dakota, United States
  5. Shawnda Schroeder, University of North Dakota, United States
Wednesday, March 23 5:30 PM-7:00 PM Harborside Center

Abstract: Graduate students enrolled in the Masters of Science Special Education distance degree program at a Midwest university were surveyed on both desired and experienced connectivity to their program, other students, instructors, and advisors. Overall, student’s desired and experienced high connectivity to the program, their advisors, and their instructors; experiencing and wanting less connectivity to their fellow students. Three significant findings we noted: (1) students wanted high connectivity overall, with greatest connectivity desired with advisors and less connectivity wanted with other students; (2) there was variation between age cohorts and wanted connectivity with peers, advisors, instructors, and the program with statistically ...