The Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education

Decision Sciences Curriculum Online:

A Comparison with the Traditional Classroom Experience

Constance H. McLaren

Indiana State University

c-mclaren@indstate.edu

Analytical Department

School of Business

Terre Haute, IN 47809

(812) 237-2282

ABSTRACT

The recent explosion in the number of university courses offered in a distance environment has required adjustments by both instructors and learners. University infrastructure must provide additional technical, clerical, and student services support. Courses in the decision sciences that are offered online require special consideration. Results from teaching both management science and business statistics undergraduate classes in concurrent web and classroom modalities over four semesters are compared. Student measures (persistence, performance, and satisfaction) and instructor preparation (materials, delivery, and technology) are assessed.