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A Literature Review and Directions for Future Research on International Student Perceptions of Online versus Face-to-Face Education: Program-centered Characteristics

Lynn A. Fish and Coral R. Snodgrass

The BRC Academy Journal of Education

Volume 5

Number 1

Print ISSN: 2152-8756 Online ISSN: 2152-8780

Date: March 15, 2016

First Page 23

Last Page 52

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15239/j.brcacadje.2016.05.01.ja02

Abstract

As higher education institutions continue incorporating online education into their curricula, different cultural perspectives regarding online versus face-to-face education will impact upon its sustained proliferation. Some cultures accept online education (Zhu, Valcke & Schellens, 2009; Lin Liu, Lee, & Magjuka, 2010), while others feel it is inferior (Asunka, 2008) to traditional education. Prior research to study business students’ perceptions (Fish & Snodgrass, 2014, 2015) found two research streams: student-centered and program-centered characteristics exist. This study focuses on the current state of literature with respect to program characteristics and culture, and suggests future directions for research in this area. Program characteristics include course organization, academic rigor, program quality, academic integrity, faculty involvement and student-to-instructor interaction, communication mechanisms, student-to-student interaction, and program technologies. Results have implications for instructors and administrators especially as institutions endeavor to attract new international students to their online programs.

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