Dissertation
Web-based technology integration and student engagement in a fully online graduate program
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
Nov 2016
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-7081
Abstract
Higher education learning management systems (LMS) incorporate web technologies into online courses to support student engagement with course content, the instructor, and peers. However, these technologies are often not optimized. Faculty can choose to utilize the web technologies built within the LMS or integrate web technologies from outside the LMS to augment course content and assignments as a means to engage students. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to understand how online faculty use web technologies and how the utilization of these technologies in courses within a fully online master's program at a large private urban university affects student engagement within those courses. This study utilized a quantitative research survey distributed to students in the online graduate program and qualitative research that utilized semi-structured interviews with full-time faculty members who teach in the same online program. The study indicated the following results: (a) a limited number of technologies within the LMS were utilized for asynchronous student-instructor and student-student interactions, (b) professional development and ongoing support is important for faculty who integrate technology into their courses, (c) synchronous student-instructor and student-student interactions occur through video-conferencing technologies, and (d) usage of web technologies supports student engagement and asynchronous student-instructor and student-student interactions. This study demonstrated use of web technologies optimized student-instructor and student-student interactions in an online course. As such, higher education institutions should annually survey faculty and students about which technologies are being used to support both interaction and engagement within online courses.
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Details
- Title
- Web-based technology integration and student engagement in a fully online graduate program
- Creators
- Linda L. Gaines - DU
- Contributors
- Kristen Betts (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xii, 193 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Education (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 7081; 991014632066204721