Online Students’ Perceptions Assessed: What Instructors Need to Know and Ideas for Incorporating Technology into the Online Learning Environment

Student perceptions of the online learning environment were measured using the Distance Education Learning Environment Survey (DELES) and focused upon six areas: instructor support, student interaction and collaboration, personal relevance, authentic learning, active learning, and student autonomy with an assessment of overall student satisfaction measured as well. This dissertation study identified areas of the learning environment online students perceive to be most important and correlated highly with overall satisfaction, which will be discussed during the session. More importantly, ways in which instructors can enhance their performance in hopes of maintain and increasing student satisfaction in these areas using social media, apps, and other technologies will be discussed.

• Julie Phillips, Globe University/Minnesota School of Business, Prior Lake, MN, USA