Since online learners may feel isolated by distance, increased personal interaction with their classmates and instructors is important for the education to succeed, according to a Ball State University study.

Nursing faculty members Nagia Ali, Kay Hodson-Carlton and Marilyn Ryan interviewed nursing graduate students confidentially to understand their experiences with online learning. The interviews revealed interaction and socialization are important for effective online learning.

"Online learning forces students to participate," Ali said. "They must participate to succeed in the courses."

Students reported a conscientious effort to do good work, since classmates can read all of their assignments in a permanent online environment. Such interaction fosters competition and promotes learning, according to the study.

"We feed off one another and learn who does well in the class and try to do as well or better than that person," one student said. "I think it accelerates learning."

Students also said convenience and flexibility were the main reasons they liked online distance learning. Many said that timely feedback from their instructors on technical or coursework questions was very important.

Interviews with 20 graduate students showed that faculty must work at making the online environment comfortable for students, Ryan said. For example, she suggested using personalized e-mails.

Students also told the study's authors about some of the drawbacks of online distance learning.

"There are some disadvantages, such as computer and technical problems and a lack of face-to-face interaction," Ryan said. "Some students may feel isolated just looking into a screen. One student felt that it was just like 'typing into space or something.'"

The study draws on Ball State's strengths in information technology and nursing. Ball State was among the earliest universities in the nation to offer a technology-based online nursing master's degree.

(Note to Editors: For more information, contact Ali at (765) 285-8598 or nali@bsu.edu. Ryan is at (765) 285-5764 or mryan@bsu.edu.)