Table 2: Mean scores for items related to ideal program and courses within an ideal program.

(a)

Items related to ideal program Mean score SD My ideal program would provide for a leave of absence status without financial penalty 4.62 .61 My ideal program would have technical support available within 24 hours 4.57 .50 My ideal program would be supported by a strong administrative infrastructure (e.g., effective procedures for answering questions, registration) 4.45 .59 My ideal program would allow me to take a number of courses per semester 3.73 1.05 My ideal program would be completed without a thesis or major project 3.67 1.13 My ideal program would allow me to take only one course per semester 2.98 1.25

(b)

Theme/Stem Items related to courses within an ideal program Mean score SD Content and structure Courses are well organized, with structured content 4.58 .54 Course readings/textbooks reflect current knowledge in the discipline 4.58 .50 Courses have seamless navigation 4.48 .51 Course content is appropriate to my learning needs 4.47 .50 Courses have a strong relationship of content to assignments 4.42 .50 Course readings/resources are accessible on line instead of having to obtain a hard copy 4.02 1.1 Collaboration and feedback Courses provide opportunities for me to receive feedback about my ideas from course instructors 4.56 .55 Courses require collaboration among learners 4.25 .69 Courses provide opportunities for me to receive feedback about my ideas from other course participants 4.13 .59 Courses provide opportunities for me to respond to the ideas of other course participants 4.04 .64 Courses encourage team effort and community building among learners 4.04 .64 Discussion forum Courses have frequent instructor interaction in discussion forums 4.16 .67 Courses have frequent discussion forums 3.47 .97 Instructors Instructors respond to my emails within 24 hours 3.78 1.22