Evaluation of a prototype psychology course for adult education

Abstract

This paper deals with the evaluation of a prototype introductory psychology course for the (Dutch) Open University. For this purpose a random sample of 400 students completed a questionnaire asking them to evaluate course content, arrangement of course material, level of difficulty, expectations for the course, opportunities to monitor one's own progress, self-instruction strategies, usefulness of the study guide, use of prior knowledge related to the course, and workload. The responses to most questions were positive. It appears, however, that students made only limited use of audiovisual aids and those who did were not positive about its effectiveness. The nominal workload was exceeded amply. Students preferred an integration of the textbook and the study guide.