GENDER, VOICE, AND LEARNING IN ONLINE COURSE ENVIRONMENTS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24059/olj.v9i1.1799Keywords:
Online teaching, online learning, women, gender, voice, postsecondary educationAbstract
A self-selected sample of 109 online students at a midwestern regional university was surveyed and asked to compare expression of voice, control over learning, and perceived deep learning outcomes in face-to-face versus online course environments. We found that females experience greater perceived deep learning in online than in face-to-face courses, and that expression of voice appears to contribute to this outcome. This effect did not occur for male students. We also found that professor support and, to a lesser extent, control over one's learning each had positive relationships with perceived deep learning in both course environments. Concern for the feelings of other students did not have a negative impact on voice as was originally hypothesized.
References
Waits, T., and Lewis, L. Distance Education at Degree-Granting Postsecondary Institutions: 2000–2001. National Center for Education Statistics, NCES 2003-017. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education, 2003, pp v, 3, 6. Online: http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2003/2003017.pdf.
National Center for Education Statistics. Digest of Education Statistics, 2000, Table 248. Washington, DC: U.S. Depart-ment of Education, 2000. Online: http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=72.
Thompson, M. M. Distance learners in higher education. In C.C. Gibson (ed.), Distance Learners in Higher Education: Institutional Responses for Quality Outcomes, 9–24. Madison, WI: Atwood Publishing, 1998.
Kramarae, C. The Third Shift. Women Learning Online. Washington, DC: American Association of University Women Educational Foundation, 2001.
Ory, J. C., C. Bullock, and K. Burnaska. Gender similarity in the use of and attitudes about ALN in a university setting. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks 1 (1): 1–16, 1997.
Wood, J. T. Communication Theories in Action. An Introduction, 276. 2nd Edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Thomson Learning, 2000.
Poole, D. M. Student participation in a discussion-oriented online course: a case study. Journal of Research on Compu-ting in Education 33 (2): 162–177, 2000.
Schleiter, M. K. Using computer conferencing to break down racial and gender barriers in the college classroom. Feminist Collections: A Quarterly of Women’s Studies Resources 17 (2): 16, 1996.
Belenky, M. F., B. M. Clinchy, N. R. Goldberger, and J. M. Tarule. Women’s Ways of Knowing: The Development of Self, Voice, and Mind. New York: Basic Books, 1986.
Kerka, S. Women, human development, and learning. ERIC Digest No: ED358379. Columbus, OH: ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult Career and Vocational Education, 1993: 3. Online: http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed358379.html.
Witkin, H. A., C. A. Moore, D. R. Goodenough, and P. W. Cox. Field-dependent and field-independent cognitive styles and their educational implications. Review of Educational Research 47: 1–64, 1977.
Murphy, H. J., B. Casey, and J. D. Young. Field dependence/independence and undergraduates’ academic performance in an information management program. College Student Journal 31: 45–50, 1997.
Gallini, J. K., and D. D. Barron. Participants’ perceptions of Web-infused environments: a survey of teaching beliefs, learning approaches, and communication. Journal of Research on Technology in Education 34 (2): 139–156, 2001/02.
Card, K. A., and L. Horton. Providing access to graduate education using computer-mediated communication. Internation-al Journal of Instructional Media 27 (3): 235–245, 2000.
Bandura, A. Social cognitive theory: An agentic perspective. Annual Review of Psychology 52: 1–26, 2001.
Joo, Y., M. Bong, and H. Choi. Self-efficacy for self-regulated learning, academic self-efficacy, and Internet self-efficacy in Web-based instruction. Educational Technology Research and Development 48 (2): 5–17, 2000.
Meyer, K. A. Face-to-face versus threaded discussions: The role of time and higher-order thinking. Journal of Asynchro-nous Learning Networks 7 (3): 1–11, 2003. Online: http://www.sloan-c.org/publications/jaln/v7n3/v7n3_meyer.asp.
Smith, G. G., D. Ferguson, and M. Caris. Teaching college courses online vs. face to face. T.H.E. Journal 28 (9): 18–26, 2001.
Warschauer, M. Computer-mediated collaborative learning: Theory and practice. The Modern Language Journal 81: 470–481, 1997.
Van Dusen, G. C. Digital dilemma: Issues of access, cost, and quality in media-enhanced and distance education. ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Reports 27 (5): 1–120, 2000.
Caverly, D. C., and L. MacDonald. Online learning communities. Journal of Developmental Education 25 (3): 36–37, 2002.
Luk, S. C. The relationship between cognitive style and academic achievement. British Journal of Educational Technology 29 (2): 7, 137–147, 1998.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
As a condition of publication, the author agrees to apply the Creative Commons – Attribution International 4.0 (CC-BY) License to OLJ articles. See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
This licence allows anyone to reproduce OLJ articles at no cost and without further permission as long as they attribute the author and the journal. This permission includes printing, sharing and other forms of distribution.
Author(s) hold copyright in their work, and retain publishing rights without restrictions