The Courseware Accessibility Study

Distance Education Survey Results (numbers in [ ] are number of responses)

There was most agreement among the participants on items 5 (I prefer to study alone) and on item 9 (When learning a new subject, I prefer to stay focused on that subject, learning as much as I can about it). The rating scales support the generalization that the participants were independent learners who prefer having others around to ask for help as required.

(CCE and EvNet)

[HOME] [Back to Appendix]

Part A: Learning Preferences

For questions 1 through 10 please select the ONE of two choices in each question that best describes you personally. If both seem to apply to you, choose the one that applies more frequently. You are free to skip any question, though you are encouraged to complete them all.

Enter your Participant ID

1. I prefer to get new information in
[1]	Pictures, diagrams, graphs, or maps.
[6]	Spoken information

2. In a study group working on difficult material, I am more likely to
[3]	Jump in and contribute ideas.
[4]	Sit back and listen

3. In a book with lots of pictures and charts, I am likely to
[3]	Look over the pictures and charts carefully.
[4]	Focus on the written text.

4. I remember best
[2]	What I see
[5]	What I hear

5. I prefer to study
[0]	In a study group.
[7]	Alone.

6. When I see a diagram or sketch in class, I am most likely to remember
[1]	The picture.
[6]	What the instructor said about it.

7. When someone is showing me data, I prefer
[2]	Charts or graphs.
[5]	Text summarizing the results.

8. When I have to work on a group project, I first want to
[5]	Have "group brainstorming" where everyone contributes ideas
[2]	Brainstorm individually and then come together as a group to compare ideas.

9. When I am learning a new subject, I prefer to
[7]	Stay focused on that subject, learning as much about it as I can.
[0]	Try to make connections between that subject and related subjects.

10. The idea of doing homework in groups, then assigning one grade for the entire group,
[1]	Appeals to me
[6]	Does not appeal to me.

For questions 11 through 13 please select from the 6 options the one that best describes you.

11. Overall when working in a group, how would you describe yourself as a learner?
As a learner you are
mean 1.7	[5] 1Very Self-Directed [1] 2Somewhat Self-Directed 3Slightly Self-Directed 4Slightly Group-Directed [1] 5Somewhat Group-Directed 6Very Group-Directed

12. When you study, do you tend to rely on your own resources and initiatives without asking others for help,or do you tend to ask others for help?
When you study, you
mean 2.7	1Never Ask For Help [2] 2Rarely Ask For Help [5] 3Sometimes Ask For Help 4Often Ask For Help 5Usually Ask For Help 6Always Ask For Help

13. Generally, how much do you enjoy working in groups with other students in order to complete course assignments?
When working in groups, you
mean 3.1	[1] 1Hate it [1] 2Somewhat Hate it [3] 3Slightly Hate it 4Slightly Love it [2] 5Somewhat Love it 6Love it

For the remaining questions on this page, numbers 14 to 23, tell us how closely these statements describe you personally by rating how much you agree on the scale (with 1 representing 'disagree strongly', to 6 representing 'agree strongly'). Please choose the option that best descibes you.

14. Having someone around to ask for help gives me more confidence.

mean

5.0

1 disagree strongly
2 disagree somewhat
[1] 3 disagree slightly
[1] 4 agree slightly
[2] 5 agree somewhat
[3] 6 agree strongly

15. I like to try things even if I don't understand how they work.
mean 4.3	[1] 1 disagree strongly [1] 2 disagree somewhat 3 disagree slightly 4 agree slightly [3] 5 agree somewhat [2] 6 agree strongly

16. I learn best in a classroom setting.
mean 4.9	1 disagree strongly 2 disagree somewhat [1] 3 disagree slightly [1] 4 agree slightly [3] 5 agree somewhat [4] 6 agree strongly

17. I like to read about things before I try doing them.
mean 5.1	1 disagree strongly 2 disagree somewhat 3 disagree slightly [3] 4 agree slightly 5 agree somewhat [4] 6 agree strongly

18. When stuck on a course-related problem, I would be willing to seek help through electronic mail (e-mail).
mean 4.3	[1] 1 disagree strongly [1] 2 disagree somewhat 3 disagree slightly [1] 4 agree slightly [1] 5 agree somewhat [3] 6 agree strongly

19. I am not afraid to ask questions in a group when I don't understand something.
mean 4.7	1 disagree strongly [1] 2 disagree somewhat 3 disagree slightly [1] 4 agree slightly [3] 5 agree somewhat [2] 6 agree strongly

20. I would rather speak to someone than leave a message.
mean 4.9	1 disagree strongly 2 disagree somewhat [1] 3 disagree slightly 4 agree slightly [5] 5 agree somewhat [1] 6 agree strongly

21. I usually try to fit my responsibilities into an organized time schedule.
mean 5.7	1 disagree strongly 2 disagree somewhat 3 disagree slightly 4 agree slightly [2] 5 agree somewhat [5] 6 agree strongly

22. I would be willing to read a textbook on my computer screen.
mean 4.6	1 disagree strongly 2 disagree somewhat [3] 3 disagree slightly 4 agree slightly [1] 5 agree somewhat [3] 6 agree strongly

23. When stuck on a course-related problem, I prefer speaking to someone immediately.
mean 4.4	1 disagree strongly [1] 2 disagree somewhat 3 disagree slightly [2] 4 agree slightly [3] 5 agree somewhat [1] 6 agree strongly