Diálogo y aprendizaje percibido en estudiantes de modalidad virtual: abordaje cualitativo en un programa universitario en Costa Rica

A qualitative and exploratory study was performed of the perceptions of a group of 50 graduate students from a Costa Rican university. The objective was to measure the intensity of online interactions between instructors and students, and between the students themselves. We then compared the results with traditional face-to-face (onsite) courses. Based on an analysis using qualitative data processing software, it was observed that there was a clear relationship with the perceived learning of online students for both dialogue types. The instructor’s role, as well as student autonomy, were considered two important factors that should be studied in more detail.