Who Selects an Online Class Over the Same Course Face-to-Face? And Who Learns More? Results from a Mixed-Methods, Quasi-Experimental Study of Teaching the Sociology of Work and Family

We analyze the student learning and background characteristics of multiple sections of an upper-division undergraduate work and family sociology course, two taught face-to-face and four offered completely online. The learning environments across the two delivery modes were strictly controlled, with...

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Main Authors: Toby L. Parcel, Monica Bixby Radu, Laura Fitzwater Gonzales
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Kennesaw State University 2018-01-01
Series:Journal of Public and Professional Sociology
Online Access:https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/jpps/vol10/iss1/6/
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author Toby L. Parcel
Monica Bixby Radu
Laura Fitzwater Gonzales
author_facet Toby L. Parcel
Monica Bixby Radu
Laura Fitzwater Gonzales
author_sort Toby L. Parcel
collection DOAJ
description We analyze the student learning and background characteristics of multiple sections of an upper-division undergraduate work and family sociology course, two taught face-to-face and four offered completely online. The learning environments across the two delivery modes were strictly controlled, with the same instructor in all six sections, the same assignments, and the same grading standards. Our qualitative data suggest that students select either online or face-to-face sections to match their perceived learning styles, and to accommodate their academic schedules, as well as work and family obligations. Our quantitative results suggest that most learning outcomes do not differ by delivery mode. We do see differences in levels of class participation favoring online students; students with higher GPAs participate more, while those with higher levels of activity hours and who are taking more online credits participate less. Online students face a trade-off between working more hours and participating in online classes. Our results need replication to determine whether these findings obtain in other upper-division sociology classes.
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spelling doaj-art-57c68182211845dbaccb64d4cf9bbf272025-08-20T03:31:06ZengKennesaw State UniversityJournal of Public and Professional Sociology2154-89352018-01-01101Who Selects an Online Class Over the Same Course Face-to-Face? And Who Learns More? Results from a Mixed-Methods, Quasi-Experimental Study of Teaching the Sociology of Work and FamilyToby L. Parcel0Monica Bixby Radu1Laura Fitzwater Gonzales2North Carolina State UniversitySoutheast Missouri State UniversityPacific Lutheran UniversityWe analyze the student learning and background characteristics of multiple sections of an upper-division undergraduate work and family sociology course, two taught face-to-face and four offered completely online. The learning environments across the two delivery modes were strictly controlled, with the same instructor in all six sections, the same assignments, and the same grading standards. Our qualitative data suggest that students select either online or face-to-face sections to match their perceived learning styles, and to accommodate their academic schedules, as well as work and family obligations. Our quantitative results suggest that most learning outcomes do not differ by delivery mode. We do see differences in levels of class participation favoring online students; students with higher GPAs participate more, while those with higher levels of activity hours and who are taking more online credits participate less. Online students face a trade-off between working more hours and participating in online classes. Our results need replication to determine whether these findings obtain in other upper-division sociology classes.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/jpps/vol10/iss1/6/
spellingShingle Toby L. Parcel
Monica Bixby Radu
Laura Fitzwater Gonzales
Who Selects an Online Class Over the Same Course Face-to-Face? And Who Learns More? Results from a Mixed-Methods, Quasi-Experimental Study of Teaching the Sociology of Work and Family
Journal of Public and Professional Sociology
title Who Selects an Online Class Over the Same Course Face-to-Face? And Who Learns More? Results from a Mixed-Methods, Quasi-Experimental Study of Teaching the Sociology of Work and Family
title_full Who Selects an Online Class Over the Same Course Face-to-Face? And Who Learns More? Results from a Mixed-Methods, Quasi-Experimental Study of Teaching the Sociology of Work and Family
title_fullStr Who Selects an Online Class Over the Same Course Face-to-Face? And Who Learns More? Results from a Mixed-Methods, Quasi-Experimental Study of Teaching the Sociology of Work and Family
title_full_unstemmed Who Selects an Online Class Over the Same Course Face-to-Face? And Who Learns More? Results from a Mixed-Methods, Quasi-Experimental Study of Teaching the Sociology of Work and Family
title_short Who Selects an Online Class Over the Same Course Face-to-Face? And Who Learns More? Results from a Mixed-Methods, Quasi-Experimental Study of Teaching the Sociology of Work and Family
title_sort who selects an online class over the same course face to face and who learns more results from a mixed methods quasi experimental study of teaching the sociology of work and family
url https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/jpps/vol10/iss1/6/
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