Title: Do executive students feel a sense of community in the online classroom? Implications for online management education and student learning experiences

Authors: Patricia D. Rafferty; Christine M. Anderson

Addresses: Erivan K. Haub School of Business, Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA 19131, USA ' Erivan K. Haub School of Business, Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA 19131, USA

Abstract: This article forms part of an exploration into how executive students within an online learning environment compare with students of an onsite learning environment with regard to feelings of community during their learning experience. In order to better understand this phenomenon, a survey was conducted in 2012, which revealed new insight and understanding into the manner in which executive students experience the online learning process with regard to feelings of community. The results of this study provide academics and training practitioners with insight and understanding of the online learning experience from the students' point of view. This study also provides practical implications for management education methods that lead to feelings of satisfaction and positive outcomes for learners within an online environment.

Keywords: online education; online management education; graduate studies; business education; higher education; executive education; online course delivery; classroom community; executive students; student learning; learning experiences; business studies; management studies; tertiary education; online learning; online classrooms; virtual classrooms; student satisfaction; outcomes; e-learning; electronic learning; management in education; educational management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2015.066346

International Journal of Management in Education, 2015 Vol.9 No.1, pp.1 - 13

Published online: 21 Jan 2015 *

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