Exploring Chinese STEM college students’ expectations of effective online courses

STEM learning aims to prepare students with hands-on and problem-based learning. However, teacher-centered instruction has been the predominant course delivery technique in STEM education regardless face-to-face or online learning context. Using both quantitative and qualitative research methods, this study explores the expectations of effective online courses based on Moore’s three types of interactions among Chinese STEM college students taking synchronous teacher-centered lecture-based online courses. A total of 175 undergraduate STEM students were recruited at one Chinese university. Results indicate that these students expect their instructors to integrate activities to motivate interactions with their instructor, peers, and the learning content. Students’ perceptions of the advantages and challenges of taking synchronous lecture-based courses are also discussed. It is expected that the findings would enlighten professionals of higher education in China to adjust teacher-centered instruction and to adequately prepare and train online instructors to foster an active online learning environment in STEM fields.