COLLEGE PARK, MD (November, 2013) Research from recent graduate Dr. Amanda Knapp has been recognized with the Effective Practice Award from the Sloan Consortium. Knapps dissertation research examines the relationship between best online instructional practice and undergraduate student perceptions of instructor credibility.
The mixed-methods study combined data obtained from an online survey of undergraduate students enrolled in a fully online upper-level communications course along with personal interviews. Her research identified significant, positive relationships between four practices and students perceptions of instructor credibility: continuous involvement and feedback; incorporating targeted learning modules; drawing from experiences and introducing students to cultures and subcultures to add relevance; and providing opportunities for collaborative learning. Continuous involvement and feedback from faculty proved to be most meaningful to perceptions of credibility, as the relationship between the two was consistently strongest across three perceptual dimensions competence, caring, and trustworthiness.
Knapps research broadens the lens for studying the associations between perceptions of credibility and student outcomes, such as higher motivation, cognitive learning, and willingness to participate. Whereas past research has focused on traditional-aged students in traditional classroom settings, Knapps mixed-methods study acknowledges the significant growth in online, distance learning in the U.S.
Dr. Amanda Knapp serves as an Academic Standards and Policy Specialist at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, where her efforts center on advocating for students fair and equitable treatment in matters of policy.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Knapps dissertation.
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