Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive research study was to determine students’ perceptions toward online classes. Findings reveal 90% of students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at North Carolina State University have experienced taking classes online. When students have an option to take an online class or a face-to-face class, they make the decision mainly based on class scheduling flexibility. Students perceived instructional videos, PowerPoint with recorded narrative, quizzes, video recordings of the live classes, instructional audios, case studies, reading materials, and hands-on projects as the eight most helpful and preferred instructional activities for them to learn online. Students were not enthusiastic about discussion boards and forums. Online instructional preferences did not vary with gender except for word puzzles. Students identified ‘testing with a combination of multiple choice and essay-type question exams administered through an online class management software program’ as the most preferred testing method.