Do Technological and Course‐Related Variables Impact Undergraduates’ Perceived Favorability and Willingness to Recommend Online/Hybrid Business Courses?

Abstract

Lower teaching evaluations can affect students’ willingness to recommend an online course. To maintain online course quality, it is important to keep the “integrity” of a course, that is, offer to the extent possible, the same content and learning outcomes in an online course as the face‐to‐face (F2F) equivalent. This study explored the impact of background, technological, and course‐related variables on perceived favorability of online (versus F2F) courses and willingness to recommend courses using two independent “mixed course format” samples of business undergraduates, that is, simultaneously taking online/hybrid and F2F courses. Participants were recruited based on their enrollment in at least one online or hybrid course. A complete data sample of 259 students filled out an online survey in the Fall 2015 semester, followed by a second independent sample of 269 students in the Spring 2016 semester. Hierarchical regression results showed that after controlling for background variables, one course‐related variable (instructor effectiveness) and one technological‐related (perceived ease of use) consistently explained perceived favorability of online (versus F2F) courses across both samples. For the willingness to recommend courses, after controlling for background variables, both course‐related variables (instructor effectiveness and student motivation) and the perceived favorability of the online course were each significant across both samples.

Hospitality students at the online classes during COVID-19 – How personality affects experience?

“…Conscientious students may also have excellent time management and organization skills, thus lowering their anxiety toward online learning. In a study by Blau, Drennan Jr., Karnik, and Kapanjie (2017) , students who are well-prepared for an online class were found to perceive the course favorably, thus positively influencing their intention to recommend. They may also have a high sense of self-awareness, which has been found to play a positive role on individual participation in online learning environments.…”

Examining Students’ Online Course Perceptions and Comparing Student Performance Outcomes in Online and Face-to-Face Classrooms

“…Prior experience. Prior content knowledge, course format experience, or prior academic experience have been outlined as important for student success in both online (Blau et al, 2017;Estelami, 2014;Gering, Sheppard, Adams, Renes, & Morotti, 2018;Murph & Stewart, 2017) as well as in traditional face-to-face formats (Duff, 2004;Hailikari, Nevgi, & Komulainen, 2008;Martin, Wilson, Liem, & Ginns, 2013). Those who have successfully completed prior online courses evidence significantly higher course completion rates compared to students who have failed to complete a prior online course (Dupin-Bryant, 2004;Hachey et al, 2015).…”

“…Course structure. Students' perceptions of the online learning environment and course structure have been highlighted as fundamental to student satisfaction as well as learning outcomes (Beach, 2018;Blau et al, 2017;Eom and Ashill, 2016;Galy, Downey, & Johnson, 2011;Gering, Sheppard, Adams, Renes, & Morotti, 2018). Students have reported that one of the most important factors for their success online is the course configuration, including easy access to materials, clear due dates, regular announcements, and distributed assignments (Beach, Stefanick and VanOverbeke, 2018;as cited in Beach, 2018).…”

A Qualitative Analysis of Graduting Business Seniors Core Course and Online Course Perceptions

“…Traditional students may have been more inclined to not like or not feel that the quality of an online course was equivalent to an in-person course. Blau, Drennan, Karnik and Kapanjie (2017) found a positive relationship between the number of online/hybrid courses taken by business students and perceived favorability of online (versus face-to-face) courses. Additional research investigating online course student perceptions, comparing traditional/on campus students taking an occasional online course versus completely online course students, should be studied.…”