Online Learning Efficacy Research Database

There has been a recent rapid growth in the number of psychology courses offered online through institutions of higher education. The American Psychological Association has highlighted the importance of ensuring the effectiveness of online psychology courses (Halonen et al., 2013). Despite this, there have been inconsistent findings regarding student grades, satisfaction, and retention in online psychology units. Equivalency Theory (Simonson, 1999; Simonson et al., 1999) posits that online and classroom-based learners will attain equivalent learning outcomes when equivalent learning experiences are provided. We present a study of an online introductory psychology unit designed to provide equivalent learning experiences to the pre-existing face-to-face version of the unit. Using quasi-experimental methods, academic performance, student feedback, and retention data from 866 Australian undergraduate psychology students were examined to assess whether the online unit developed to provide equivalent learning experiences produced comparable outcomes to the ‘traditional’ unit delivered face-to-face. Student grades did not significantly differ between modes of delivery, except for a group-work based assessment where online students performed more poorly. Student satisfaction was generally high in both modes of the unit, with group-work the key source of dissatisfaction in the online unit. The results provide partial support for Equivalency Theory. The group-work based assessment did not provide an equivalent learning experience for students in the online unit highlighting the need for further research to determine effective methods of engaging students in online group activities. Consistent with previous research, retention rates were significantly lower in the online unit, indicating the need to develop effective strategies to increase online retention rates. While this study demonstrates successes in presenting students with an equivalent learning experience, we recommend that future research investigate means of successfully facilitating collaborative group-work assessment, and to explore contributing factors to actual student retention in online units beyond that of non-equivalent learning experiences. 
[less]

This article builds on the 2007 College and Research Libraries article, “The Librarian, the Machine, or a Little of Both.” Since that time, Oakland University Libraries implemented changes to its instruction program that reflect larger trends in teaching and assessment throughout the profession; following these revisions, librarians undertook a new study to assess the effectiveness of online library instruction in face-to-face courses in comparison to the hybrid model that had been in place. The study’s design and its results serve to contribute to discussion of best practices in information literacy pedagogy, online learning, instructional design, and the role of the librarian therein. 
[less]

Central to determining the effectiveness of technology to support learning and the value of technology-mediated instruction is the quality of programs. edTPA is a widely accepted, national measure of teacher readiness and preparation. Using edTPA score reports for teacher candidates completing a teacher education program, this study provides data informed evidence of the equivalency of online teacher candidates’ learning outcomes as compared to candidates completing traditional face to face (F2F) programs. Mean and summative performance results suggest that mode of course delivery was not a significant factor in preparing teacher candidates. In general, learning was comparable in either format; however, analyses at the element level offer evidence of differences in achievement outcomes associated with program structure. These findings challenge notions that traditional methods of teacher preparation are the only reputable pathways to becoming a teacher and suggest attributes of online learning may be linked to differences in candidate knowledge and skills preparation when equitable curricular opportunities are provided. Based on the results of this study, authors contend that not only is online an equivalent and in some cases more effective method for preparing teachers; it may be a more adept program delivery platform for preparing educators for planning for instruction and assessing student learning outcomes. 
[less]

Online course-packs are marketed as improving grades in introductory-level coursework, yet it is unknown whether these course-packs can effectively replace, as opposed to supplement, in-class instruction. This study compared learning outcomes for Introductory Psychology students in hybrid and traditional sections, with hybrid sections replacing 30% of in-class time with online homework using the MyPsychLab course-pack and Blackboard course management system. Data collected over two semesters (N = 730 students in six hybrid and nine traditional sections of ~50 students) indicated equivalent final-grade averages and rates of class attrition. Although exam averages did not differ by class format, exam grades in hybrid sections decreased to a significantly greater extent over the course of the semester than in traditional sections. MyPsychLab homework grades in hybrid sections correlated with exam grades, but were relatively low (66.4%) due to incomplete work—suggesting that hybrid students may have engaged with course materials less than traditional students. Faculty who taught in both formats noted positive features of hybrid teaching, but preferred traditional classes, citing challenges in time management and student usage of instructional technology. Although hybrid students often reported difficulties or displeasure in working online about half of them indicated interest in taking other hybrid classes. 
[less]

Whether through the use of online-only or hybrid/blended formats, colleges and universities across the country are increasingly utilizing online platforms as a medium for the delivery of instruction. At the same time, we know little about how student learning outcomes are related to students’ engagement with online instructional formats. In particular, few studies have evaluated online learning in community colleges, and fewer yet have employed an experimental or quasi-experimental design to do so. In this research, we use propensity score matching to compare learning gains between community college students enrolled in blended courses, (courses that combine online instructional delivery with traditional classroom-based instruction) with gains experienced by students receiving only classroom-based instruction. Among students enrolled in blended courses, we also consider which aspects of student use of online instructional materials are most strongly associated with student learning. While some evidence has suggested significantly poorer outcomes for community college students enrolled in online-only courses, our results suggest that students enrolled in blended courses perform similarly, if not better, relative to students in a traditional instructional setting. Implications for practice and research are discussed. 
[less]

This study sought to compare and assess students' experiences and perceptions in a blended and a traditional course, as well as their level of learning motivation, level of learning outcomes and skills, and learning achievement. Two instructors who were teaching 1 section of an undergraduate English literacy course using the face-to-face format while, in the same semester, teaching another section of the same class in a hybrid/ blended format were willing to invite students (blended: n = 26; traditional: n = 26) to participate in this study. Students in the blended course reported significantly higher overall learning motivation (p = .045) than students in the traditional course. They also reported higher levels of learning outcomes (p = .45) and final grades (p = .192) with no significant difference. Moreover, blended learners indicated that they would like to take more blended classes and would recommend them to their friends. 
[less]

The article reports a quasi-experimental study on the impact of a blended e-learning approach on students' performance outcomes in a “Research Methods” course at a Moroccan university. An experimental group of 40 students used a Moodle LMS-supported course to access all the instruction materials (readings, lecture notes and quizzes) as well as face-to-face (F2F) communication in class. The control group of 48 students received only F2F course delivery for the same course content. The two groups were compared on the variable of final course grade. Results indicate that the experimental group had slightly higher means, though these were not statistically significant. Differences in student performance across the two settings might rather be accounted for by GPA (average of Semester 3 and 4 grades). Analysis of students' log data for the experimental group was also conducted to identify any correlations between online activity (total time online, number of online sessions and number of total views) and final course grade for this group. A stepwise multivariate regression revealed that only two variables -number of online sessions and GPA -were significantly associated with final student grade. The present study demonstrates that blended learning is as useful and as effective as F2F learning. Online components in a blended course should be designed in such a manner as to provide new materials on a weekly basis rather than all at once at the beginning of the course. 
[less]

Impeding factors which restrain educational activities such as physical impracticability exist in coach training courses, which are mainly caused by organizations, ineffective and insufficient duration of courses to resolve these problems, it is possible to use blended learning methods in coach training courses. Thus, we developed a traditional face-to-face environment for a special education course and an online environment for a fundamental education course using blending approach. The study aimed to investigate the effects of blended learning model proposed for coaching education courses on the motivation levels and professional competence of coach candidates. Participants were the trainees who wanted to participate in the first stage of the coach training course at volleyball branch. The coach candidates in the blended learning environment showed significantly higher motivation levels compared to the others in the control group. In addition, a significant difference between the control and the experiment groups of coach candidates in regard to their professional competence was detected. This study is compelling in terms of strengthening the significance of the blended learning environment, even in coach training. 
[less]

Demand for online learning has increased in recent years due to the convenience of course delivery. However, some students appear to have difficulties with online education resulting in lack of completion. The study utilized a quantitative approach with archival data. The factors of achievement and demographics were compared for face-to-face and online students. Multiple regressions and ANCOVA were performed to analyze the data while controlling age and gender to reveal any significant differences between the two groups. The sample and population for this study were predominantly Hispanic students. Multiple regression findings indicated that age and gender were predictors of student achievement in face-to-face college algebra courses at a college in south Texas. In the equivalent college algebra online courses, neither Age nor Gender impacted students’ grade. ANCOVA showed that the average grade of face-to-face students was higher than that of online students. 
[less]

Over the past decade, there has been a large increase in the number of colleges and universities that offer fully online courses and blended courses (courses with a face-to-face component and with an online component). The number of students enrolling in these courses has also increased. These courses are less costly for universities to offer and provide students with more flexibility than traditional classes. This study examines the relationship between online learning and knowledge retention in introductory economics courses. Student assessment data are matched to transcript and demographic information to control for individual student attributes. Using a differences-in-differences matching estimator, we determine the effect online coursework has on knowledge retention by comparing performance on the assessment. Results suggest that while there is no significant difference in student learning, students in more traditional, technology-free courses retain the material better than students. 
[less]