Studying Online: Student Motivations and Experiences in ALA-Accredited LIS Programs
Publication: Journal of Education for Library and Information Science
Volume 56, Number 3
Abstract
This paper presents a large scale study of online MLIS students (n = 910), who completed at least one online course and were enrolled in 36 of the 58 ALA-accredited MLIS programs in Canada and the United States. The results indicate that the typical student is female, White, lives in an urban setting, and is in her mid-30s. Online students were found to be quite diverse, with statistically significant differences in their preferences and satisfaction across five demographic variables: age (generational cohort), employment status, urban status, commute distance, and program modality. Three motivations emerged: accommodation, predisposition, and selectivity, which influenced the respondents to choose online learning. The prevalent issues online MLIS students experienced were a sense of isolation from peers and instructors, and a lack of professional development and networking opportunities with peers. The findings have implications for enhancing MLIS online education including marketing, course offerings, and student support services.
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Published In
Journal of Education for Library and Information Science
Volume 56 • Number 3 • September 2015
Pages: 213 - 231
Copyright
© Journal of Education for Library and Information Science.
History
Published in print: September 2015
Published online: 24 January 2018
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Journal of Education for Library and Information Science 2015 56:3, 213-231
Journal of Education for Library and Information Science 2015 56:3, 213-231