Evaluating deaf education Web-based course work

Some U.S. universities use Web-based formats to offer most of the course work required to become a certified teacher of the deaf. Yet little research exists on how students judge the content and delivery of such courses compared to on-campus instruction. Parton (2005) described previous research concerning this topic as descriptive rather than empirical, and called for data-based investigation. In the present study, 108 consumers of online courses at one university were surveyed. A questionnaire was developed from a literature review and experiences of the author, who has taught long-distance courses since the early 1990s. Responses pertained to as many as five deaf education professors and 12 deaf education courses. Most students were intelligent, hearing, experienced consumers who appreciated Web-based course content and delivery. The majority (65%) felt that they did not know the instructor as well in on-campus courses. Further research is planned.