Student Perceptions of Virtual Education: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Over the years instructors and administrators have worked together to provide education to students in academic institutions. The role of the participants in this educational system were well-defined. Instructors and administrators were responsible for the dissemination of knowledge and the methodology used was simple: the instructor transferred the knowledge to the students. The merging of computers and communications technology is transforming the way we teach and learn. Physical classrooms are being replaced by electronic classrooms. The roles of the participants are being redefined where the instructor is becoming a facilitator in the electronic classroom and students are participating in these classes from anywhere and at anytime. Questions that arise for universities include: Is this the future of higher education? Will electronic classrooms replace traditional classrooms? In this study we explore and discuss the perceptions of students in a mid-western rural university regarding virtual education. Implications for the participants in the educational system are also discussed.