What aspects of education are found to be superior when delivered in an online environment as opposed to a traditional classroom? Stephen L. Baglione and Michael Nastanski conducted extensive research and analysis on this question and many others in order to provide us with the answer. The first step in their research involved the development of three separate hypotheses. They made some assumptions based on learning characteristics proposed as being critical to effective educational growth.
The first assumption was that online discussion “facilitates more substantive discussion than the traditional classroom” (Baglione & Nastanski, p 4). This assumption is based on logical ideas also provided in the article. The next assumption was that a significant number of professors favor teaching online over the traditional method. They will also show that teaching online is very enjoyable for the professors. The last assumption didn’t seem to be as important to substantiate the message being delivered.
The authors sent invitations to over 300 professors with a fairly good response rate of 122. Each of their assumptions was validated with the results of the completed surveys tallied. They also recognized that further research was necessary to expand on the idea that online learning is superior to the traditional classroom experience. Research will need to be completed on the side of the student experience in an online environment. One suggestion was that a good method to measure the effectiveness of online learning can be obtained through the same testing of students that already occurs.
References
Baglione, Stephen L., and Michael Nastanski. "THE SUPERIORITY OF ONLINE DISCUSSION." Quarterly Review of Distance Education 8.2 (Summer 2007): 139-150. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=26266357&site=ehost-live
3 comments:
I agree that online courses bring mor substance to the learning experience. I believe this because in my experience the online class gives me more flexibility to think issues though before I answer. In a traditional setting I feel like I am put on the spot when asked to respond.
Great information
Viki
I agree Chance, though it would be hard to have online students take the same tests as regular students that study in the classroom. Unfortunately most of the answers for the tests that regular students take are easily found within the textbook or on the internet which regular students are not allowed access to during testing. But if they had the online students go into a physical testing location without the same access it may be a fair way to test.
-Chris
I also agree that an online learning environment can bring about a more substansive learning environment for students, but only if the instructor is an active participant as well. Online learning has been an enjoyable experience for me as it has forced me to dig for the answers. In that respect I feel that learning in this type of setting is much more difficult than in a traditional classroom setting.
Good Article.
Nicole
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