WHICH INSTRUCTION METHOD ENHANCES OUTCOMES AND SATISFACTION IN UPPER-LEVEL EXERCISE STUDIES?

While numerous studies have investigated the difference between online and in-person instructors in several fields, variations in instructors, exclusive reliance on exam score data, and the absence of student satisfaction surveys characterize most of these investigations. Notably, none of these studies have explored the realms of health and exercise studies. This study compared all graded assignments, exams, oral presentations, optional resource data collection (time spent doing optional activities and scores on optional quizzes) and included a student satisfaction survey. At the end of the course, all grade book data was anonymized (any identifying information was removed), placed into a separate data sheet (Excel document), and analyzed. A course satisfaction survey was given at the semester's midpoint, separating this study from previous research, which did not include a student satisfaction survey. Both classes were correlated, determining if there is a relationship between which mode the course was taught and overall course totals. There was one activity that showed a significant difference between online and in person learning environments.