Online Students' Expectations: Enhancing the Fit between Online Students and Course Design

Abstract

Learner analysis and needs assessments are basic elements of all instructional design models and are of concern to those designing distance education courses. Mismatches between students' expectations and actual course features may impact learning. This investigation surveyed 249 geographically dispersed online students for the course features they valued and the course features included in their distance education courses. Results revealed general agreement between course features desired by students and those included in their current courses, however, there were mismatches; particularly concerning the use of instant messaging, team assignments, and creating biography pages. Implications for online course design are presented.