1. WELCOME and PURPOSE

1. WELCOME and PURPOSE 1 / 5 20%

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between three sets of data; a student’s level of locus of control, results of student perceptions on the Community of Inquiry, and student retention in the online learning environment in order to address the problem of high attrition in online learning. The significance of the study is to potentially add new knowledge to the practice of online instruction, shedding light on factors that may facilitate the retention of adult students in online courses. Your participation is valued and so appreciated. The results of this research study will inform many different institutions of higher education in order to improve the design of coursework throughout California and beyond. Your participation should take about 20 minutes. There are no risks to you. All information will be handled in a strictly confidential manner, so that no one (other than the principal researcher, Carol Gossett) will be able to identify you when the results are reported. Your participation in this study is totally voluntary and you may withdraw at any time without negative consequences. If you wish to withdraw at any time during the study, simply contact the researcher, Carol Gossett in written format email; [email protected].

Upon completion and submission of the three surveys included in this research project;

Student Demographics Survey, Locus of Control Survey, and Community of Inquiry Survey,

your Research Student ID will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win one of a

collection of survey prizes. All three surveys must be received by the Survey Closing Date

of: January 30, 2016 in order to be entered into the drawing. There will be 10 different

prizes awarded, including tech prizes valued at $10.00 to $50.00 each. Complete and

submit THE FOLLOWING 3 surveys now for your chance to participate in the exciting Tech

Prize Survey Drawing! All prizes will be awarded.

Research Study: Online Education

2. STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS: SURVEY 1

2 / 5 40%

Please answer the following questions so that the data can be sorted and analyzed based on the

student population participating in this survey. Please be accurate with your answers to each question.

1. Research Student ID: (Student ID was assigned to you by the Research Manager -

see email message from [email protected])

2. College or University you are currently attending.

3. Your contact email for survey award notification:

4. Title of online course(s) you are currently enrolled: (List up to 5 or answer Not

currently enrolled)

Not currently enrolled

Course # and Title

Course # and Title

Course # and Title

Course # and Title

Course # and Title

5. Gender (select one)

Female

Male

6. Age (select one)

17 yrs or younger

18-25 yrs

26-30 yrs

31-40 yrs

41-50 yrs

51 + yrs

7. Are you a full-time or part-time student? (select one)

full-time – enrolled in 9 or more units for the current semester

part-time – enrolled in less than 9 units for the current semester

8. How many hours a week do you work at a job outside of attending college?

(select one)

less than 5 hours per week

6-10 hours per week

11-20 hours per week



more than 40 hours per week

9. In the past 3 years, (Fall, 2012 - Fall, 2015) total number of online classes in which

you have enrolled: (Select one)

I am currently enrolled in my first online course

2 - 5

More than 5

10. Total number of online classes you have successfully completed (received a

passing grade of C or higher or credit) in the past 3 years: (Select one)

1

2

3

4

5

More than 5

11. Which race/ethnicity best describes you? (Please choose only one.)

Non-Hispanic White or Euro-American

Black, Afro-Caribbean, or African American

Latino or Hispanic American

East Asian or Asian American

South Asian or Indian American

Middle Eastern or Arab American

Native American or Alaskan Native

Multiple ethnicity / Other (please specify)

12. Do you speak a language other than English at home?

Yes

No

13. If yes, what is or are the language(s) you speak at home? (For example: Korean,

Italian, Spanish, Vietnamese)

Language 1

Language 2

Language 3

14. How well do you speak English?

Very well (fluent English Speaker)

Well (speak some English)

Not well (Have trouble finding the right English words)

Not at all (do not speak English)

Other (please specify)

*15. Do you consider yourself to be an (ESL) English as a Second Language

Learner?

Yes No

Speaker Speaker Yes Speaker No

Writer Writer Yes Writer No

Reader Reader Yes Reader No

STUDENT LOCUS OF CONTROL SURVEY 2 3 / 5 60%

INSTRUCTIONS

Answer the following questions the way you feel. There are no right or wrong

answers. Don't take too much time answering any one question, but do answer them all. One of

your concerns during the survey may be, "What should I do if I can answer both yes and no to a

question?" It's not unusual for that to happen. If it does, think about whether your answer is just a

little more toward one way than the other. For example, if you might assign a weighting of 51

percent to "yes" and assign 49 percent to "no," mark the answer "yes." Select one or the other

response for all questions and not leave any blank. Mark your response to the question in the space

provided.

*16. Answer Yes or No to each of the following questions

Yes No

LC1. Do you believe that most problems will solve themselves if you

just don't fool with them?

LC2. Do you believe that you can stop yourself from catching a cold?

LC3. Are some people just born lucky?

LC4. Most of the time, do you feel that getting good grades means a

great deal to you?

LC5. Are you often blamed for things that just aren't your fault?

LC6. Do you believe that if somebody studies hard enough he or she

can pass any subject?

LC7. Do you feel that most of the time it doesn't pay to try hard

because things never turn out right anyway?

LC8. Do you feel that if things start out well in the morning that it's

going to be a good day no matter what you do?

LC9. Do you feel that most of the time parents listen to what their

children have to say?

LC10. Do you believe that wishing can make good things happen?

LC11. When you get punished does it usually seems it's for no good

reason at all?

LC12. Most of the time, do you find it hard to change a friend's (mind)

opinion?

LC13. Do you think that cheering, more than luck, helps a team to win?

LC14. Did you feel that it was nearly impossible to change your

parent's mind about anything?

LC15. Do you believe that parents should allow children to make most

of their own decisions?

LC16. Do you feel that when you do something wrong there's very

little you can do to make it right?

LC17. Do you believe that most people are just born talented at playing

sports?

Yes No

LC18. Are most of the other people your age stronger than you are?

LC19. Do you feel that one of the best ways to handle most problems is

just not to think about them?

LC20. Do you feel that you have a lot of choice in deciding whom your

friends are?

LC21. If you find a four leaf clover, do you believe that it might bring

you good luck?

LC22. Did you often feel that whether or not you did your homework

had much to do with what kind of grades you got?

LC23. Do you feel that when a person your age is angry at you, there's

little you can do to stop him or her?

LC24. Have you ever had a good luck charm?

LC25. Do you believe that whether or not people like you depends on

how you act?

LC26. Did your parents usually help you if you asked them to?

LC27. Have you felt that when people were angry with you it was

usually for no reason at all?

LC28. Most of the time, do you feel that you can change what might

happen tomorrow by what you do today?

LC29. Do you believe that when bad things are going to happen they

just are going to happen no matter what you try to do to stop them?

LC30. Do you think that people can get their own way if they just keep

trying?

LC31. Most of the time, do you find it useless to try to get your own

way at home?

LC32. Do you feel that when good things happen they happen because

of hard work?

LC33. Do you feel that when somebody your age wants to be your

enemy there's little you can do to change matters?

LC34. Do you feel that it's easy to get friends to do what you want

them to do?

LC35. Do you usually feel that you have little to say about what you

get to eat at home?

LC36. Do you feel that when someone doesn't like you there's little you

can do about it?

LC37. Did you usually feel that it was almost useless to try in school

because most other students were just plain smarter than you were?

LC38. Are you the kind of person who believes that planning ahead

makes things turn out better?

LC39. Most of the time do you feel that you have little to say about

what your family decides to do?

LC40. Do you think it's better to be smart than to be lucky?

Research Study: Online Education

4. COMMUNITY OF INQUIRY STUDENT SURVEY 3

4 / 5 80%

Community of Inquiry Student Survey INSTRUCTIONS

Please respond to each of the following statements by selecting one rating for each statement: 1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree (Garrison, Anderson, & Archer, 2000a).

17. COMMUNITY OF INQUIRY STUDENT SURVEY COURSE 1

INSTRUCTIONS

Answer the following questions based on your FAVORITE online course - an online course where you were most successful.

Please respond to each of the following statements by selecting one rating for each statement:

1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree OR N/A if the question does not apply to your

experience.

1 = strongly

disagree 2 = disagree 3 = neutral 4 = agree

5 = strongly

agree N/A

TPDO 1. The instructor clearly communicated important course

topics.


TPDO 2. The instructor clearly communicated important course goals.

TPDO 3. The instructor provided clear instructions on how to

participate in course learning activities.


1 = strongly


5 = strongly

agree N/A

TPDO 4. The instructor clearly communicated important due

dates/time frames for learning activities.


TPF 5. The instructor was helpful in identifying areas of agreement

and disagreement on course topics that helped me to learn.


TPF 6. The instructor was helpful in guiding the class towards

understanding course topics in a way that helped me clarify my

thinking.


TPF 7. The instructor helped to keep course participants engaged and

participating in productive dialogue.


TPF 8. The instructor helped keep the course participants on task in a

way that helped me to learn.


TPF 9. The instructor encouraged course participants to explore new

concepts in this course.

1 = strongly


5 = strongly

agree N/A


TPF 10. Instructor actions reinforced the development of a sense of

community among course participants.


TPDI 11. The instructor helped to focus discussion on relevant issues

in a way that helped me to learn.


TPDI 12. The instructor provided feedback that helped me understand

my strengths and weaknesses.


TPDI 13. The instructor provided feedback in a timely fashion.


SPAE 14. Getting to know other course participants gave me a sense

of belonging in the course.


1 = strongly


5 = strongly

agree N/A

SPAE 15. I was able to form distinct impressions of some course

participants.


SPAE 16. Online or web-based communication is an excellent

medium for social interaction.


SPOC 17. I felt comfortable conversing through the online medium.


SPOC 18. I felt comfortable participating in the course discussions.


SPOC 19. I felt comfortable interacting with other course participants.


SPGC 20. I felt comfortable disagreeing with other course participants

while still maintaining a sense of trust.


1 = strongly


5 = strongly

agree N/A

SPGC 21. I felt that my point of view was acknowledged by other

course participants. \


SPGC 22. Online discussions help me to develop a sense of

collaboration.


CPTE 23. Problems posed increased my interest in course issues.


CPTE 24. Course activities piqued my curiosity.


CPTE 25. I felt motivated to explore content related questions.


CPE 26. I utilized a variety of information sources to explore

problems posed in this course.

1 = strongly


5 = strongly

agree N/A


CPE 27. Brainstorming and finding relevant information helped me

resolve content related questions. ]


CPE 28. Online discussions were valuable in helping me appreciate

different perspectives.


CPI 29. Combining new information helped me answer questions

raised in course activities.


CPI 30. Learning activities helped me construct

explanations/solutions.


CPI 31. Reflection on course content and discussions helped me

understand fundamental concepts in class.


1 = strongly


5 = strongly

agree N/A

CPR 32. I can describe ways to test and apply the knowledge created

in this course.


CPR 33. I have developed solutions to course problems that can be

applied in practice..


CPR 34. I can apply the knowledge created in this course to my work

or other non-class related activities.


18. COMMUNITY OF INQUIRY STUDENT SURVEY COURSE 2

INSTRUCTIONS

Answer the following questions based on your LEAST FAVORITE online course - an online course where you

were least successful.

Please respond to each of the following statements by selecting one rating for each statement: 1 = strongly disagree, 2 =

disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree

1 strongly disagree 2 disagree 3 neutral 4 agree 5 strongly agree N/A

TPDO1. The

instructor clearly

communicated


important course

topics.


TPDO2. The

instructor clearly

communicated

important course

goals.


TPDO3. The

instructor provided

clear instructions

on how to

participate in

course learning

activities.


TPDO4. The

instructor clearly

communicated

important due

dates/time frames

for learning

activities.



TPF5. The

instructor was

helpful in

identifying areas of

agreement and

disagreement on

course topics that

helped me to learn.


TPF6. The

instructor was

helpful in guiding

the class towards

understanding

course topics in a

way that helped me

clarify my thinking.


TPF7. The

instructor helped to

keep course

participants

engaged and

participating in

productive

dialogue.


TPF8. The

instructor helped

keep the course


participants on task

in a way that

helped me to learn.


TPF9. The

instructor

encouraged course

participants to

explore new

concepts in this

course.

\


TPF10. Instructor

actions reinforced

the development of

a sense of

community among

course participants.


TPDI11. The

instructor helped to

focus discussion on

relevant issues in a

way that helped me

to learn.



TPDI12. The

instructor provided

feedback that

helped me

understand my

strengths and

weaknesses.


TPDI13. The

instructor provided

feedback in a

timely fashion.


SPAE14. Getting to

know other course

participants gave

me a sense of

belonging in the

course.


SPAE15. I was able

to form distinct

impressions of

some course

participants.



SPAE16. Online or

web-based

communication is

an excellent

medium for social

interaction.


SPOC17. I felt

comfortable

conversing through

the online medium.


SPOC18. I felt

comfortable

participating in the

course discussions.


SPOC19. I felt

comfortable

interacting with

other course

participants.


SPGC20. I felt

comfortable

disagreeing with


other course

participants while

still maintaining a

sense of trust.


SPGC21. I felt that

my point of view

was acknowledged

by other course

participants.


SPGC22. Online

discussions help me

to develop a sense

of collaboration.


CPTE23. Problems

posed increased my

interest in course

issues.


CPTE24. Course

activities piqued

my curiosity.



CPTE25. I felt

motivated to

explore content

related questions.


CPE26. I utilized a

variety of

information sources

to explore problems

posed in this

course.


CPE27. Brainstorm

ing and finding

relevant

information helped

me resolve content

related questions.


CPE28. Online

discussions were

valuable in helping

me appreciate

different

perspectives.



CPI29. Combining

new information

helped me answer

questions raised in

course activities.


CPI30. Learning

activities helped me

construct

explanations/soluti

ons.


CPI31. Reflection

on course content

and discussions

helped me

understand

fundamental

concepts in class.


CPR32. I can

describe ways to

test and apply the

knowledge created

in this course.



CPR33. I have

developed solutions

to course problems

that can be applied

in practice.


CPR34. I can apply

the knowledge

created in this

course to my work

or other non-class

related activities.


19. Generally speaking: List practices of your instructors that helped you succeed in your online courses.

Note your answers here: Please include specific types of assignments, discussion boards, instructor/student interactions, journals, multi-media such as

PowerPoint presentations, artistic Display Boards, video viewing or video creation by the student, live online sessions with instructor and class

participants, anything you might think of that helped you succeed. DO NOT list something that was not included in your online courses.

20. Generally speaking: List practices that were missing that you would have liked to be included in your online courses.

Note your answers here: Please be specific by listing practices that did not generally occur in your online courses, but that you would have liked to be

included.

21. If you are an ESL. Reader, Speaker, or Writer, please offer specific types of assignments, elements, etc., that were or

might be helpful toward your success in online courses.

Note your answers here: List specific suggestions for elements you think would be useful if they had been included in your online courses. Be

specific to needs of an ESL learner.

22. If you have actually dropped out of an online course in the past, explain what tends to cause you to drop out of online

classes.

Note your answers here: Please be specific with your answers: Lack of instructor/student feedback, lack of time to complete coursework due to

family or work demands; lack of internet service; lack of access to computer and software needed to complete coursework; lack of experience or

training in online course requirements such as sending e-mail; or searching the web for specific information; uploading and downloading

documents, lack of a good foundation in the use of English - speaking, writing, reading, etc.

23. Explain what keeps you engaged in online classes.

Note your answers here: Please be specific and list anything you might think that keeps you interested and engaged in an online course.

6. THANK YOU for your participation!

6 / 6 100%

Thank you for your careful consideration of each of the survey questions. Please know that your input will be incredibly useful to

institutions of higher education throughout California and beyond. I sincerely expect the design of future online courses will benefit

from the information you have shared.

When the survey closes for all participants, the Tech Prize drawing will be held and you will be notified as to whether or not you have

won one of 10 prizes to be awarded. I wish you well.

Carol Gossett, Principal Researcher

1. WELCOME and PURPOSE

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Transcript of 1. WELCOME and PURPOSE