Evaluating the Impact of On-line Course Enrollments on FTEs at an Urban University. AIR 1997 Annual Forum Paper.

An alternative system of course delivery, wholly online computer-managed instruction, was evaluated to estimate its contribution to total full-time-equivalent (FTE) students two years after its implementation at Christopher Newport University (Virginia). CNU ONLINE offers eight online courses and one online degree program. In Spring 1997, nearly 500 students were pursuing studies in 34 offerings through CNU ONLINE. Online students completed a survey eliciting their reasons for online enrollment and whether those reasons precluded taking the classroom equivalent. Most frequent student reasons for taking online course work included a preference for online media; interaction with online colleagues; development of online skills; reduced travel expenses; and reduced travel time. Other analyses examined the campus-wide relationship between course load and commuting distance from campus, comparing pre- and post-implementation semesters. Results supported the hypothesis of a net FTE gain, as opposed to FTE redistribution. The results suggest the potential of online instruction to reduce negative effects of distance and scheduling. The survey is appended. (Contains 12 references.) (JLS)