Two approaches for students to evaluate academic on-line courses

In this paper we describe the results of a research study concerning two channels which provide information to students about on line university courses: web sites and Student Help Services. In fact, even though the offers of on-line education widen the choice of academic courses available, they make it more difficult for students to identify the courses which are most suitable for their needs; besides, making an evaluation of the quality of on-line courses from an empirical point of view, as students do, is even more difficult. To carry out our research we used a panel made up of 15 newly graduated students from different regions in Italy, who analysed the university web sites and asked Student Help Services for information according to a predefined check list. A comparison between the data gathered through the two information channels is presented.