Importance of measuring student experience in a short online course for educators

Abstract

This case study discusses the importance of measuring student satisfaction in online teaching. Student satisfaction is a crucial metric for any educational institution, regardless of whether it offers face-to-face, conventional education or open, distance and e-learning (ODeL). It is essential that students feel engaged and supported in their learning journey to ensure the best possible outcomes, especially in low-resourced countries such as Eswatini. ODeL have each been shown to provide unique advantages when it comes to student satisfaction due to their flexibility and convenience. However, it is important to note that wanting to recommend a course to someone does not necessarily mean that they were completely satisfied with all aspects of the course. For example, a student may have found a course to be very challenging but still found it valuable and would recommend it to others who are interested in the subject matter. Early on in research on blended and e-learning, it was highlighted that the quality of the instructors and the appropriate design and good facilitation of online learning activities are important determinants that influence student learning and satisfaction. Satisfaction is possibly the most accepted measure of teaching/learning quality and effectiveness. In addition, relevant and appropriate support services (quality) are seen by a substantial body of literature on education as a key factor and great predictor of student satisfaction in a blended/online learning environment. Therefore, measuring student satisfaction can help maintain quality teaching and learning by identifying areas for improvement. The case study also provides best practices for measuring student satisfaction in online teaching. These include using surveys or questionnaires that cover various aspects such as course content, instructor support, technical support, communication channels, assessment methods, among others. It is important to use validated instruments or develop customised ones based on specific needs. Furthermore, it is recommended to collect data at different points during the course delivery to capture changes in student satisfaction over time. The data collected should be analysed and used to inform decision making and improve the quality of teaching and learning. In conclusion, measuring student satisfaction in online teaching is crucial for maintaining quality teaching and learning. OSeL have unique advantages when it comes to student satisfaction, but it is important to ensure that students feel engaged and supported throughout their learning journey. Best practices for measuring student satisfaction include using validated instruments, collecting data at different points during course delivery, analysing data and using it to inform decision making.