Karen E. Mottarella

This study examined 145 students' course grades and scores on a standardised achievement test (the Area Concentration Achievement Test [ACAT] in Psychology) following completion of web-based, web-enhanced or classroom courses in basic learning. We found that students in web-based courses had lower course grades than those in either classroom-based or web-enhanced courses. Moreover, students in web-based or web-enhanced courses scored lower on the ACAT Human Learning subtest than did students in classroom-based instruction. Thus we found poorer outcomes associated with web-based rather than classroom-based instruction. Perhaps neither standardised tests nor grades capture the strengths of web-based pedagogy. More research is needed to assess learning outcomes across various modes of instruction in order to identify variables that can maximise success of web-based instruction and perhaps also to better capture the strengths of web-based pedagogy.

A policy capturing approach was used to examine the advising variables that contribute to student satisfaction. Students (N = 468) rated 48 scenarios in which advising approach, relationship, advisor gender, emotional nature of the relationship, and type of advisor were manipulated. Results show that being known to the advisor, having a professional advisor, and receiving warmth and support from the advisor were important factors to advisee satisfaction. Ratings differed by student gender, advising experience, and age. Relational variables can exist across multiple advising approaches, and satisfaction likely depends more on the advisor's interpersonal skills and style than advising approach.