The effect of demographic variables on achievement in and satisfaction with online coursework.

Although an ethnically diverse health care workforce is considered necessary to meet the needs of our multicultural society, little attention has been given to the effect of language in distance-delivered coursework. A population of ethnically diverse nurse practitioner and physician assistant students at three institutions was studied to determine the effect of demographic variables, such as native language, gender, and prior computer experience, on both successful completion of and satisfaction with online coursework. No significant difference was found in academic achievement of native and non-native English speakers, nor in course satisfaction between these two groups. In addition, neither gender nor prior computer experience affected either academic achievement or course satisfaction.