Study About the Optimal Elements of Online Course Design
chasing quintessence
This page is to give all participants more information about the educational research study for my dissertation for the Doctor of Education, specializing in Curriculum and Instruction at The University of Louisiana Monroe. This is a voluntary study to further education in instructional design.
About the study
About the study
payment & What to expect?
payment & What to expect?
The purpose of this study is to investigate the optimal elements of online course design in online learning management systems in online education.
payment & What to expect?
payment & What to expect?
payment & What to expect?
There will be no monetary compensation. During the interview, there will be semi-structured questions over a web conference, Zoom, that is recorded.
Risks
payment & What to expect?
Risks
There is minimal psychological risk for participants. There is no physical, social, economic, or legal risk involved with this educational research study.
All interviews and information will be deidentified and anonymized for the protection of all participants. The interviews will be recorded and kept on a password and fingerprint-protect
There is minimal psychological risk for participants. There is no physical, social, economic, or legal risk involved with this educational research study.
All interviews and information will be deidentified and anonymized for the protection of all participants. The interviews will be recorded and kept on a password and fingerprint-protected computer. The videos will be uploaded to YouTube privately for transcription purposes only and deleted from YouTube after transcription. There is minimal risk for invasion of privacy or confidential information.
Significance of the Study
BIG BUSINESS
According to Statista.org, the online education market is set to be valued at 203.81 billion dollars by the end of 2025. Statista.org (Online Education - Worldwide | Statista Market Forecast, 2025) also projects that the market volume will be 279.30 billion by 2029. These projections indicate that we are at the dawn of online learning and online education.
STAKEHOLDER INPUT
With a need for a voice in the matters of online education and learning management systems (Oudat & Othman, 2024), this study provides the platform for that voice for learners, educators, and administrators to be heard. Learners are provided with an avenue to discuss their experiences in a low-stakes, anonymous, and unbiased environment. Educators are encouraged to voice their concerns, issues, and offer suggestions anonymously about course design. Also, Administrators are provided an opportunity to anonymously share their perspectives and insights on course design.
FUTURE BENEFITS
The synthesis of the information obtained from this study will help learners achieve greater learner outcomes, encourage educators to better understand their learners and meet those needs, and allow administrators to better understand learners and educators, which provides a more cohesive and comprehensive approach to online education at the program level.
Online Education - Worldwide | Statista Market Forecast. (2025). Statista. https://www.statista.com/outlook/emo/online-education/worldwide
Oudat, Q., & Othman, M. (2024). Embracing digital learning: Benefits and challenges of using Canvas in education. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 14(10), 39–39. https://doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v14n10p39
Flow of the Study
Formal Letter
A formal letter is sent to those learners, educators, and administrators who have experience in online learning and online learning management systems.
Base
Complete and total information will be relayed to the participants of this study regarding the flow of the study, timeline of the study, and what to expect will be available as a base of operations for this dissertation study.
After the participant has chosen to participate in this educational study, an email will be sent to the participant with the informed consent form to print out, sign, and email back to a Couchdrop.com link, which is also included in the email. The email will also include a link that the participant will use to schedule an interview at their convenience.
Informed Consent Form
A consent form will be signed by each participant. If the participant is over 18, the consent form may be signed by them; however, if the participant is under 18, a parent or guardian will need to sign the form. This form will be printed off and signed by the participant. The form will then be scanned and sent through an encrypted link through Couchdrop.com.
Interview on Zoom
At the specified, scheduled time, the researcher will host the participant on Zoom, where the audio and video will be recorded. During the interview, there will be semi-structured questions about online learning and learning management systems. At the end of the interview, there will be an open-ended question regarding anything else the participant would like to share about online learning and learning management systems.
Future Contact
All data, along with audio and video recordings, will be deleted upon publication of this dissertation. However, the participant is welcome to contact me at any time regarding their participation and the final results of the research study.
Information about Researcher
About Melissa Amato
EDUCATION
I graduated with my Bachelors Degree from the University of New Orleans. Then, I graduated with my Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Louisiana State University - Shreveport in 2020 with a 3.8 GPA. I am currently in the Doctor of Education program as a doctoral candidate with a 4.0 GPA at the University of Louisiana Monroe.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Previously, I have formed a service-based business, business with an original product that graced grocery store shelves and published a magazine and planner on a global scale. This experience paired with my extensive management and hospitality industry experience provides a solid foundation for teaching a course from experience.
ONLINE LEARNING
I have completed online learning in each of my degree programs. There are many benefits and challenges that I have experienced in online learning which has created this need and desire to further educational research in online learning. These efforts are to help our educational communities to understand the benefits and challenges that are faced by students in an online learning environment.
