This study explored factors that affect teaching and learning in online courses, including faculty development, faculty and student perceptions, students’ online readiness, and online instructional activities. This qualitative study built on quantitative analyses showing that students perform more poorly in online courses than in face-to-face courses. Data include interviews with online students, faculty, and support staff at two community colleges, as well as observations of online courses.
This study was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and by Lumina Foundation for Education.