Title: Impact of class selection reasons on online student performance: an Operations Management case study

Authors: Rick L. Wilson

Addresses: Management Science and Information Systems Department, Spears School of Business, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA

Abstract: Demand for undergraduate online classes has dramatically increased. This research note explores whether reasons for students taking online classes impact their class performance. Data was collected from an online version of a required business class, Operations Management (OM), at a major comprehensive US University. Results of this study indicated modest evidence that online Course Selection Reasons (or CSRs) moderated the relationship between student GPA, a surrogate representation of their ability, and class performance. Thus, online classes may better enhance student experiences if potential course performance benefits are emphasised.

Keywords: online learning; e-learning; electronic learning; internet; world wide web; operations management; learning styles; student performance; distance learning; course selection reasons; moderated variables; interaction; undergraduate classes; online classes; class performance; USA; United States; grade point average; GPA; surrogate representations; student ability; student experiences; course performance; education management; higher education; universities; competitive edge; competitiveness.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMIE.2011.039491

International Journal of Management in Education, 2011 Vol.5 No.2/3, pp.301 - 316

Published online: 12 Feb 2015 *

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