How Consistency in Online Learning Can Contribute to Student Critical

Thinking and Learning? The Story of the Public Administration

Department

Gina Scutelnicu, Rebecca Tekula, Beth Gordon, Hillary Knepper & Victoria Gonzalez (student)

Faculty Institute - May 17, 2018

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Original Course Shell Landing Page

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Revised Course Shell Landing Page

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Research Question

• To what extent are online course templates beneficial to student critical thinking & learning?

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Methods

• Two original multi-informant online surveys of Pace graduate MPA students, full-time faculty and adjuncts.

• Response rates:– Students: 41%– Faculty: 71%

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Student PerceptionsStudent Perceptions of the MPA Online Template Template Strongly Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Strongly N Feature agree agree disagree disagree

Consistent entry points 51.28% 28.21% 10.26% 5.13% 5.13% 39 Standardization of navigation button 58.54% 26.83% 4.88% 4.88% 4.88% 41 Easy to find instructional materials 48.78% 31.71% 4.88% 7.32% 7.32% 41 Layout of instructional materials is consistent 48.78% 24.39% 12.20% 7.32% 7.32% 41 Easy to locate faculty information 60.98% 19.51% 7.32% 4.88% 7.32% 41 Easy to locate foundation information 58.54% 24.39% 7.32% 4.88% 4.88% 41 Course navigation panel is clear and informative 51.22% 24.39% 12.20% 7.32% 4.88% 41

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Student LearningImpact of Pace MPA Online Template on Student Learning Experiences

Student Learning Experience Aspect Percentage N It improved my engagement in the course 36% 17 It provided me familiarity with digital interface 26% 12 It improved student-instructor communication 20% 9 It preserved my academic freedom 11% 5 Other 9% 4 Total 100% 47

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Student Findings – Cont’dComparison of Impact of Current and Old MPA Online Template

Student Learning Experience Aspect Percentage N It improved my engagement in the course 16% 3 It improved student-instructor communication 16% 3 It facilitated completion of course work 21% 4 It allowed me to focus on the content 10% 2 It provided me familiarity with digital interface 16% 3 It improved my overall success 5% 1 Other 16% 3 Total 100% 19

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Student Recommendations

• More interactive discussion boards & the ability of students to edit their posts.

• More notifications should be in place in instances signaling deadline reminders for class assignments, materials uploading etc.

• Better mobile access to online classes• Student use of Turnitin as an editing tool

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Lessons Learned

• Collaborative Partnerships• Course Building as a Team Sport• Different Perspectives• Mobile First

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Questions for Discussion• How can online course design impact critical

thinking?Interactive discussion forums Mobile online learningUsing Turnitin as an editing tool • What online tools can be standardized to

stimulate student critical thinking? • What new opportunities exist for how you

approach course design or redesign?

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Faculty PerceptionsFaculty Perceptions of the MPA Online Template Template Strongly Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Strongly N Feature agree agree disagree disagree

Consistent entry points 22.22% 55.56% 11.11% 0% 11.11% 9 Standardization of navigation button 44.44% 33.33% 11.11% 0% 11.11% 9 Easy to find instructional materials 22.22% 44.44% 11.11% 11.11% 11.11% 9 Layout of instructional materials is consistent 33.33% 44.44% 11.11% 0% 11.11% 9 Easy to locate faculty information 22.22% 33.33% 22.22% 11.11% 11.11% 9 Easy to locate foundation information 33.33% 44.44% 11.11% 0% 11.11% 9 Course navigation panel is clear and informative 33.33% 33.33% 11.11% 11.11% 11.11% 9

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Faculty TeachingImpact of Pace MPA Online Template on Faculty Teaching Experiences

Faculty Teaching Experience Aspect Percentage N It improved my engagement in the course 9.1% 1 It improved student-instructor communication 9.1% 1 It allowed me to focus on teaching the class 27.3% 3 It provided me familiarity with the digital interface 18.2% 2 It preserved my academic freedom 9.1% 1 Other 27.3%% 3 Total 100% 11

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Faculty Suggestions• More interactive and more measurable discussion

forums• Separate menu choices/buttons for assignments,

assessments and course documents rather that trying to fit everything in course work.

• Template violates academic freedom

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