View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by University of New Orleans University of New Orleans ScholarWorks@UNO University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations Dissertations and Theses Fall 12-15-2012 Comparing Biology Grades Based on Instructional Delivery and Instructor at a Community College: Face-to-Face Course Versus Online Course. Amanda Rosenzweig University of New Orleans, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td Part of the Biology Commons, Community College Education Administration Commons, Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons, and the Science and Mathematics Education Commons Recommended Citation Rosenzweig, Amanda, "Comparing Biology Grades Based on Instructional Delivery and Instructor at a Community College: Face-to-Face Course Versus Online Course." (2012). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 1550. https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1550 This Dissertation is protected by copyright and/or related rights. It has been brought to you by ScholarWorks@UNO with permission from the rights-holder(s). You are free to use this Dissertation in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s) directly, unless additional rights are indicated by a Creative Commons license in the record and/ or on the work itself. This Dissertation has been accepted for inclusion in University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UNO. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Comparing Biology Grades Based on Instructional Delivery and Instructor at a Community College: Face-to-Face Course Versus Online Course. A Dissertation Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the University of New Orleans in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction by Amanda H. Rosenzweig B.A. William Woods University, 2000 M.S. University of Louisiana at Monroe, 2003 December, 2012 Acknowledgements I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to those that have encouraged and supported me throughout my journey of my doctorate. I am indebted to all these people for their help and contributions through this experience. First, I would like to thank Dr. Richard Speaker, my major professor, whose guidance and support allowed me to accomplish my dissertation. I am indebted to Dr. Speaker for accepting me as a student in the middle of my doctoral career, allowing me to begin a brand new project and helping me continue on the road to success. Second, I would like to thank Dr. Claire Amy Thoreson, the kindest, and most patient methodologist a doctoral student could be blessed with. Your guidance and weekly meetings allowed me to succeed on my statistical, academic journey. You helped me believe in myself and my research when I felt lost. Third, I would like to thank my committee members Dr. Ivan Gill and Dr. April Bedford Whatley for their time, support, and contributions to my research and doctoral endeavors. Next, I would like to thank Dr. John L. Carr and Dr. Marceau Ratard, who were integral in my success outside of the classroom. Dr. Carr has taught me responsibility, work ethic, but more importantly has helped build my confidence, and shape me as a student. Dr. Ratard has been a friend, a statistical advisor and a cheerleader. He was a shoulder to lean on and always helped with statistics. His words of encouragement and friendship have been security throughout this journey. Finally, I thank my family, Seth, Ethan and especially my husband and my mother, for bearing with me for all these years. Mom and Matt, both of you listened and were patient throughout this long, difficult journey. I appreciate the unwavering support, kind words, love ii and patience as I completed my dream. In closing, I would like to thank my departed father and grandmother, who always encouraged me to pursue my dreams. This journey and work is dedicated to my father, Dennis Steven Rosenzweig. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures................................................................................................................... vii Abstract............................................................................................................................ viii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION..................................................................................1 Need for the Study............................................................................................................7 Significance of the Study .................................................................................................9 Theoretical Framework ..................................................................................................10 Research Questions ........................................................................................................13 Definitions of Terms ......................................................................................................14 Overview of Methodology .............................................................................................16 Limitations .....................................................................................................................17 Other limitations.........................................................................................................20 Delimitations ..................................................................................................................20 Organization of the Study ..............................................................................................21 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW....................................................................23 Community College Students.........................................................................................25 Demographics.............................................................................................................25 Motivation and Pre-knowledge ..................................................................................27 Age and Gender..........................................................................................................29 Technology familiarity...............................................................................................32 Instructor Immediacy..................................................................................................34 Instructor, Students and Technology..........................................................................36 Conclusion......................................................................................................................37 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY ..........................................................................38 Pilot Study......................................................................................................................41 Population and Sample...................................................................................................44 Data Collection...............................................................................................................45 Course Descriptions .......................................................................................................47 General Biology I .......................................................................................................48 Microbiology of Human Pathogens............................................................................48 Human Anatomy and Physiology I ............................................................................48 Human Anatomy and Physiology II...........................................................................48 Variables.........................................................................................................................49 Participants .....................................................................................................................51 General Biology I .......................................................................................................51 Microbiology of Human Pathogens............................................................................52 Human Anatomy and Physiology I ............................................................................52 Human Anatomy and Physiology II...........................................................................52 Statistical Design............................................................................................................53 CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS ..........................................................................................55 Purpose of Study ............................................................................................................55 General Biology I...........................................................................................................57 Microbiology of Human Pathogens ...............................................................................59 iv Human Anatomy and Physiology I ................................................................................60 Human Anatomy and