With the rapid growth of online learning and the increased attention paid to student attrition in online programs, much research has been aimed at studying the effectiveness of online education to improve students’ online learning experience and student retention. Utilizing the online learning literature as a multi-faceted theoretical framework, the study developed and employed a new survey instrument. The SelfDirected Online Learning Scale (SDOLS) was used to examine graduate student perceptions of effectiveness of online learning environments as demonstrated by their ability to take charge of their own learning, and to identify key factors in instructional design for effective improvements. The study applied the Rasch rating scale model to evaluate and validate SDOLS through a psychometric lens to establish the reliability and validity of SDOLS. Results from Rasch analysis addressed two research questions. First, evidence was found to generally support the new instrument as being psychometrically sound but three problematic items were also identified as grounds for future improvement of SDOLS. Second, the study assessed the importance of various factors as measured by the SDOLS items in contributing to students’ ability to self-manage their own online learning. Finally, the new instrument is expected to contribute to the work of various stakeholders in online education and can serve to improve students’ online learning experience and effectiveness, increase online retention rates, and reduce online dropouts.

中文翻译：

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应用Rasch模型评估研究生的自我指导的在线学习量表（SDOLS）

随着在线学习的快速增长和在线课程中对学生减员的关注日益增加，许多研究旨在研究在线教育的有效性，以改善学生的在线学习体验和学生保留率。该研究利用在线学习文献作为多方面的理论框架，开发并采用了一种新的调查工具。自我指导的在线学习量表（SDOLS）用于检查研究生对在线学习环境有效性的看法，以证明他们负责自己的学习的能力，并确定教学设计中有效改进的关键因素。该研究应用Rasch评分量表模型通过心理计量学镜片评估和验证SDOLS，以建立SDOLS的可靠性和有效性。Rasch分析的结果解决了两个研究问题。首先，从心理上讲，发现证据普遍支持该新工具，但还确定了三个有问题的项目，这些是将来改进SDOLS的依据。其次，该研究评估了SDOLS项目所衡量的各种因素对提高学生自我管理自己的在线学习能力的重要性。最后，新工具有望为在线教育中各利益相关者的工作做出贡献，并有助于改善学生的在线学习体验和效果，提高在线保留率并减少在线辍学率。人们发现，从心理上讲，该证据普遍支持该新工具，但三个有问题的项目也被确定为未来改进SDOLS的依据。其次，该研究评估了SDOLS项目所衡量的各种因素对提高学生自我管理自己的在线学习能力的重要性。最后，新工具有望为在线教育中各利益相关者的工作做出贡献，并有助于改善学生的在线学习体验和效果，提高在线保留率并减少在线辍学率。人们发现，从心理上讲，该证据普遍支持该新工具，但三个有问题的项目也被确定为未来改进SDOLS的依据。其次，该研究评估了SDOLS项目所衡量的各种因素对提高学生自我管理自己的在线学习能力的重要性。最后，新工具有望为在线教育中各利益相关者的工作做出贡献，并有助于改善学生的在线学习体验和效果，提高在线保留率并减少在线辍学率。