Research on Course Length?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by mattbrent, Mar 14, 2011.

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  1. mattbrent

    mattbrent Well-Known Member

    Howdy folks!

    As a distance learner who's been around to a few distance schools, I've taken various courses of various lengths. My B&M undergrad school used the traditional 16 week schedule. Walden, where I earned my MS, used 8 week courses. UoP, where I took some classes and now teach, uses 3 week and 6 week courses. I've also taken 8 week courses through APU and WNMU, and even 4 week courses through WNMU.

    So here's my question...

    Is there any research out there about the length of a course in relation to student success? Personally, I liked my 8 week courses the best. Sixteen week courses just seem to drag on forever, and the 3-4 weekers are just rushed. I'd be curious to know not only what others think, but if there was any data related to the topic.

    -Matt
     
    mattbrent, Mar 14, 2011
    #1
  2. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Captain Obvious

    I apologize for saying what should go unsaid, but it would likely vary greatly, depending on the course, the professor, and the individual. If there is any research out there, I would hope that they meticulously weeded out the independent and dependent variables (course length and student success respectively), while defining "success" in such as way as to be a valid construct. :dunce:

    If an anecdote is welcome... I'm interpreting a traditional, B&M 16-week course in the Greek and Latin Roots of English. It is, literally, nothing more than memorizing lists of words and then taking recollection tests and quizes. A dedicated individual could learn the entire course in a single weekend, but several of the students are lazy with their studies and are barely passing.

    :eek:fftopic: As a side note: the only time any student ever raises his or her hand in this class is to ask what will be on the next quiz, how something will be presented on the quiz, will this or that information be given on the next quiz, blah blah blah quiz, blah quiz, quiz, blah blah quiz, quiz, etc. I'm sick of it.
     
    Maniac Craniac, Mar 14, 2011
    #2
  3. mattbrent

    mattbrent Well-Known Member

    You're right. That is obvious. However, people do research all the time in education and somehow manage to weed through those variables. I'd wager, however, that if enough data were studied there would be some commonalities across course lengths regardless of the course type or instructor. I'm just wondering if anyone has done the research. And NO, I do not plan on doing it! :jester:

    -Matt
     
    mattbrent, Mar 15, 2011
    #3
  4. eilla05

    eilla05 New Member

    I personally prefer 8 week courses over anything! 16 week courses honestly bore me after 8-9 weeks and after 10 weeks I am seriously done. I guess I better get used to 16 week courses though as I am almost 100% positive UNR is 16 week courses, but they are grad level so maybe I will begin to appreciate longer courses ;)
     
    eilla05, Mar 15, 2011
    #4

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