An Exploratory Study of Students’ Perception of their Online Learning Experiences in a Midwestern University

Online learning programs and online courses have seen a rapid rise in recent years; however, how to improve those online programs to enhance student learning often remains an issue. This study seeks to gain insights into learners’ perceptions of online learning and investigate problems that take place in online learning. 33 students enrolled in online courses offered by a Midwestern university participated in this study. A survey instrument of ten questions targeted three major domains, including course design, instructor facilitation, and social presence. Most students reported positively with course design and instructor facilitation. Interestingly, students demonstrated a relatively ambiguous and divergent perception on social presence, which suggested that social presence might no longer be perceived as a necessity in an online environment. Implications and suggestions for educators to adapt to this potential change are discussed as well.