SURVEY OF STUDENTS ENROLLED IN
MISSISSIPPI VIRTUAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE CLASSES
PROVIDED BY
MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE,
FALL 2000.
During fall semester, 2000, an online survey was administered by the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) Institutional Research Office. A total of 812 e-mail addresses were obtained from the Mississippi Virtual Community College registration system, representing students who were enrolled in one or more online classes provided by MGCCC. Of these addresses, 95 (11.7%) were undeliverable. The following tables summarize results for 155 respondents, representing a 21.6% response rate from the remaining 717 valid e-mail addresses.
1. What community/junior college do you attend? (Where did you register?)
number percent
MGCCC - Jackson Co. 47 30.3%
MGCCC - Jefferson Davis 58 37.4%
MGCCC - Perkinston 11 7.1%
MGCCC - George Co. 3 1.9%
MGCCC - Keesler 3 1.9%
MGCCC - West Harrison Co. 2 1.3%
Coahoma 0 0.0%
Copiah-Lincoln 1 0.6%
East Mississippi 0 0.0%
East Central 1 0.6%
Hinds 10 6.5%
Holmes 5 3.2%
Itawamba 0 0.0%
Jones 0 0.0%
Meridian 5 3.2%
Mississippi Delta 1 0.6%
Northeast 0 0.0%
Northwest 0 0.0%
Southwest 0 0.0%
Pearl River 4 2.6%
Not Specified 4 2.6%
Total 155 100.0%
2. How many MSVCC classes are you taking from Mississippi Gulf Coast
instructors?
number percent
One course 103 66.5%
Two courses 28 18.1%
Three or more courses 20 12.9%
Not Specified 4 2.6%
Total 155 100.0%
3. How many MSVCC classes are you taking (total), regardless of where the
instructor is located?
number percent
One course 72 46.5%
Two courses 33 21.3%
Three or more courses 45 29.0%
Not Specified 5 3.2%
Total 155 100.0%
4. Race:
number percent
Asian/Pacific Islander 4 2.6%
Black, non-hispanic 27 17.4%
Hispanic 3 1.9%
Native American 1 0.6%
White, non-hispanic 104 67.1%
Not Specified 16 10.3%
Total 155 100.0%
5. Gender:
number percent
Female 119 76.8%
Male 26 16.8%
Not Specified 10 6.5%
Total 155 100.0%
6. Age Group:
number percent
Under 18 0 0.0%
18 - 19 11 7.1%
20 - 21 17 11.0%
22 - 24 20 12.9%
25 - 29 29 18.7%
30 - 34 31 20.0%
35 - 39 24 15.5%
40 - 49 14 9.0%
50 - 64 4 2.6%
65 and over 0 0.0%
Not Specified 5 3.2%
Total 155 100.0%
7. Marital Status
number percent
Single 44 28.4%
Married 86 55.5%
Divorced/Separated 12 7.7%
Widow/Widower 2 1.3%
Not Specified 11 7.1%
Total 155 100.0%
8. Academic Standing:
number percent
Freshman 41 26.5%
Sophomore 80 51.6%
Already have a degree 28 18.1%
Not Specified 6 3.9%
Total 155 100.0%
9. General Major Field:
number percent
Academic 111 71.6%
Technical 34 21.9%
Vocational 7 4.5%
Not Specified 3 1.9%
Total 155 100.0%
10. Primary Reason for Taking Online Classes:
number percent
The class was not available or a regular classroom section was not open. 18 11.8%
Online classes fit my work/job hours better. 64 42.1%
Family/home responsibilities. 33 21.7%
My advisor recommended online classes. 0 0.0%
A friend recommended online classes. 3 2.0%
I enjoy computers and the Internet.I wanted to try taking classes this way. 12 7.9%
I have previously taken online classes, and the experience was positive. 7 4.6%
I thought this would be an easy alternative to regular classes. 6 3.9%
Other. 9 5.9%
Total 152 100.0%
(Specific other reasons given are listed at the end of this report.)
11. If online classes were not available, would you have enrolled in a regular
classroom course?
number percent
Definitely would have taken a regular class. 67 43.2%
Probably would have taken a regular class. 45 29.0%
Probably would not have taken a regular class. 21 13.5%
Definitely would not have taken a regular class. 18 11.6%
Not Responding. 4 2.6%
Total 155 100.0%
12. Based on your experience so far, how would you rate the quality of
instruction provided in online classes?
number percent
Excellent (5) 50 32.3%
Good (4) 63 40.6%
Average (3) 23 14.8%
Fair (2) 9 5.8%
Poor (1) 7 4.5%
Not Responding 3 1.9%
Total 155 100.0%
Average Rating 3.92
13. Based on your experience so far, how do you feel the quality of online
instruction compares with traditional classroom courses you have taken?
number percent
Online instruction is better than traditional classroom instruction. 19 12.3%
Instructional quality is about the same online as in the traditional classroom. 67 43.2%
Traditional classroom instruction is better than online instruction. 66 42.6%
Not Responding 3 1.9%
Total 155 100.0%
14. Based on your experience so far, how would you rate the technology used
in online classes?
number percent
Excellent (5) 53 34.2%
Good (4) 73 47.1%
Average (3) 14 9.0%
Fair (2) 9 5.8%
Poor (1) 2 1.3%
Not Responding 4 2.6%
Total 155 100.0%
Average Rating 4.10
15. Did you use student.techsupport?
number percent
Yes 45 29.0%
No 105 67.7%
Not Responding 5 3.2%
Total 155 100.0%
16. If you used student.techsupport, how timely was the reply?
number percent
Excellent (5) 15 29.4%
Good (4) 20 39.2%
Average (3) 12 23.5%
Fair (2) 2 3.9%
Poor (1) 2 3.9%
Total 51 100.0%
Average Rating 3.86
17. Did you email questions to your instructor?
number percent
Yes 148 95.5%
No 4 2.6%
Not Responding 3 1.9%
Total 155 100.0%
18. Did your instructor reply in a timely manner to your questions?
number percent
Yes 139 89.7%
No 11 7.1%
Not Responding 5 3.2%
Total 155 100.0%
19. Did the Blackboard software help you understand how to manuever in the
program?
number percent
Yes 136 87.7%
No 14 9.0%
Not Responding 5 3.2%
Total 155 100.0%
20. If an on-campus hands-on orientation to the Blackboard program were
available, would you attend?
number percent
Yes 35 22.6%
No 50 32.3%
Maybe 66 42.6%
Not Responding 4 2.6%
Total 155 100.0%
21. Would having access to the course syllabus before the course starts be
helpful?
number percent
Yes 128 82.6%
No 5 3.2%
Maybe 18 11.6%
Not Responding 4 2.6%
Total 155 100.0%
22. Where did you buy your textbook?
number percent
amazon.com 9 6.8%
B Dalton 1 0.8%
Barnes & Noble 22 16.7%
bigwords.com 3 2.3%
bought used from another student 2 1.5%
classbook.com 2 1.5%
college bookstore 33 25.0%
directbooks.com 2 1.5%
ecampus.com 7 5.3%
from publisher 4 3.0%
Missouri Book Service 22 16.7%
textbooks.com 1 0.8%
textbooksource.net 1 0.8%
unspecified online source 21 15.9%
Used Book Store 1 0.8%
Waldenbooks 1 0.8%
Total 132 100.0%
23. From the time you placed your order, how long did it take you to receive
your textbook?
number percent
< 1 week 92 79.3%
1-2 weeks 17 14.7%
2-3 weeks 3 2.6%
a month or more 4 3.4%
Total 116 100.0%
24. Other reasons given for taking online classes. (Responses are presented here
verbatim. All spelling and grammar are that entered in the survey by the students.)
Combiniation:  online classes fit my work/job hrs.; family/home responsibilities; enjoy computers; transportation problems so this was a sure-way alternative; also would have stopped attending if online was not available this term.
Convenience, it prevents me from having two drive 40 miles to the campus 4 nights a week. 
disabled
I also like taking them because they do fit into my work/job hours along with my family/home responsibilities. I hope that I will also be able to continue with on-line classes when it is time to transfer due to these resons.
I am expecting a baby in December & thought this would be easier on me than sitting in class for hours and hours.
I DO NOT LIKE ONLINE CLASSES. YOU DO NOT GET HANDS ON EXPERIENCE INSIDE THE CLASS ROOM, AND SOME PEOPLE NEED SOMEONE THERE TO GUIDE THEM TO SHOW THEM HOW TO DO IT.
I live 40 minutes one way from school and don't like driving at night time by myself.
It fits my job hours better and I  can be home with my daughter at least three nights out of the week, when I am not at school.
My reasons are a combination of several of the above. Self paced classes fit my schedule, I have family home responsibilities, I enjoy computers & the internet. Self Paced is the key.
Unable to attend ground courses for medical reasons (this semester only)
was in a car accident that prevented me from being at school full time
24. Comments/Suggestions
©2000, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College