Online Learning Efficacy Research Database

This study adopted an empirical study to examine the application of the blended learning approach to Web-based College English Teaching Platform (WCETP) in a medical university in eastern China. The study was conducted on 40 students majoring in Clinical Medicine from two classes and raised two questions: (1) Is there a significant difference between the blended learning approach and the traditional classroom learning approach in terms of students’ attitudes and satisfaction? (2) Is there a significant difference between the blended learning approach and the traditional classroom learning approach in terms of students’ academic achievement? By analyzing and discussing the resultant statistics, the author drew the conclusion that compared with the traditional teaching approach, participants held more positive attitudes towards the blended learning model. Besides, participants preferred to this new blended learning model, which could better stimulate their interest, foster their autonomous learning and collaborative learning and prompt their confidence. What is more, the quantitative research with the comparisons of language learning achievement between the experimental group and the control group revealed that there was a significant difference in terms of students’ academic achievement between the traditional classroom learning approach and the blended learning approach. Furthermore, students performed better in language learning under the blended learning model than those under the traditional model. The findings of the study indicate that as the brand-new learning approach, the blended learning approach which integrates the advantages of online learning and face-to-face classroom teaching could enhance students’ comprehensive language skills, improve students’ self-confidence in learning English, and cultivate the learners’ ability of self learning. Therefore, study on the application of blended learning for college English learning has an important reference value and practical significance for the reform of College English Education. 
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Community colleges are increasing their enrollment faster than four-year universities and have also had the highest growth rate in online learning enrollments in higher education. This increase in community college enrollment and specifically in online and developmental courses, leads to a need for research with this population; sadly, very little research focuses on online students in community colleges. The purpose of this paper is to present a research study which compared student success in a Developmental Math course offered in three different learning environments (online, blended, and face-to-face). Using quantitative instruments, data from 167 participants was collected including, demographic information, unit test grades and standardized Intermediate Algebra Competency Exam scores. Results of a one way ANOVA showed that there were significant differences between learning environments with the students in the blended courses having the least success. Additional analysis was done to address issues of attrition since attrition rates are high for community college students and online students. Data analysis with the attrition adjusted sample showed that the face-to-face students performed most poorly. The findings of this study contradict the current research findings of no significant difference in success based on learning environment. 
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This paper examines whether a blended course that introduces lower-level education online learned by students before they come into class and after class online assignments and online discussions enhances student performance for an introductory principles of accounting course over the period 2009-2010. The blended course design includes (1) before-class online quizzes, (2) after-class online homework assignments and online quizzes, (3) after-class comments postings, and (4) company case and project online postings. The regression results show that the above designed blended course improves the student final examination/course performance through in-depth in class activities after controlling for prior GPA, math grade, gender, transfer, homework grade, online quiz grade, and in-class exercise grade. 
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Two sections of the Principles of Management course were examined to compare student outcomes based on course delivery method. The first section was a traditional F2F class, while the second section was parallel cohorts of students meeting in two separate locations, but linked by ITV (Interactive Television). The professor appeared once per week in each location, effectively resulting in a hybrid synchronous ITV delivery in which students were only in the same room as their professor 50% of the time. Regression analysis, t-tests and correlations were performed on both total points earned and student scores on an assessment exam. Results showed there to be no significant difference in student outcomes between the two delivery methods. 
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The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a hybrid learning approach to deliver a computer science course concerning the Microsoft office PowerPoint 2003 program in comparison to delivering the same course content in the form of traditional lectures. A hundred and seventy-two first year university students were randomly assigned into two teaching method groups: traditional lecture instruction (TLI) and hybrid lecture instruction (HLI). Each group received six 95-min periods of instruction divided into 4 sections: a) 5-min brief outline of the key learning points, b) 40-min lecture on general knowledge c) 45-min constructivist-inspired learning activities and d) 5-min summary on key learning points. In the beginning and the end of this study students completed a 17-item multiple choice knowledge test. Two-way analysis of variances (ANOVA), with repeated measures on the last factor, were conducted to determine effect of method groups (TLI, HLI) and measures (pre-test, post-test) on knowledge test. The measures main effect was significant, as well as the groups x measures interaction effect. Two independent-samples t test were conducted to follow up the significant interaction. Differences in mean ratings of knowledge performance between the two teaching groups were not significantly different at first measure, while the TLI method group yielded a significantly lower mean rating at second measure. The findings indicated that HLI approach might be a superior option for undergraduate students on learning the Microsoft office PowerPoint 2003 program. 
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Online courses offer a number of obvious advantages to students in terms of scheduling and flexibility. Interactions between the instructor and student in an online course though tend to be more limited and strictly defined than they would be in the traditional classroom. Hybrid formats offer greater flexibility and variety for student-instructor interactions and learning exercises than the online format while still retaining some scheduling flexibility. This discussion assesses differences in student performance and outcomes across a sample of 7 sections of a Sports Economics course that over the last five academic years has been offered online, in the traditional classroom, and as a hybrid course. The analysis finds that students in an online course were likely to have scored 16 percent higher than students that took the same course in the traditional classroom. Students in the hybrid format were likely to have scored 4 percent lower than the students in the traditional classroom. 
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An increasing number of undergraduate courses are adopting a hybrid format of course delivery, incorporating aspects of on-line and computer assisted learning with traditional educational formats. Evaluating learning outcomes and student assessment of non-traditional teaching is important to provide insights into its benefits and challenges. Recently, an introductory health services management course was offered in both traditional and hybrid formats, providing the opportunity to compare outcomes using different modes of educational delivery. Results show that on-line instruction is as effective as traditional teaching methods as measured by student performance. Though students are eager to take on new hybrid learning opportunities, they still value traditional direct interaction with the instructor and hesitate to go completely online. 
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This paper reports the results of a comparison of academic performance (course grade) in two sections of a principles of managerial accounting course, one held in a traditional format (classes held two days per week in a classroom setting) and one in a hybrid format (one class period held in a classroom setting and one in a web-based environment). After controlling for other factors, academic performance was not significantly associated with class delivery format (traditional or hybrid).

Control variables significantly associated with course performance were SAT Score and performance in a prerequisite accounting course. Gender, Transfer status, and age were not significant if SAT Score and prerequisite grade were included in the model. The findings of this study are relevant to accounting educators who are contemplating using hybrid-type courses or who may want to design studies to evaluate the effectiveness of hybrid courses. 
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The purpose of this research was to perform a three way comparison of delivery modes for an introductory Management Information Systems course to determine if there existed a difference in student success among the delivery modes. The research compares student exam and final grade results in this class that was taught by the same instructor using face-to-face, blended and online delivery modes. An Analysis of Variance test was used on the exam and final grade data to determine if a significant difference existed. Additionally, a discussion of this class in relation to student satisfaction, learning effectiveness and faculty satisfaction is presented. This research demonstrates that there is no significant difference among delivery modes. Additionally, blended and online modes for this class do very well when measuring student satisfaction, learning effectiveness and faculty satisfaction. 
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Blended learning is a hybrid of classroom and on-line learning that includes some of the conveniences of on-line courses without the complete loss of face-to-face tact. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate student achievement and satisfaction with blended learning course delivery compared to a traditional face-to-face class format in a general health course. Method: Surveys were distributed to randomly selected classes during the fall 2007 semester: three blended and one traditional sections participated (n=251). Results: Total satisfaction scores between blended (54.986) and traditional (49.788) classes were significantly different (p< 0.01). Achievement by students of blended and traditional sections brought mixed findings, yet blended students’ overall grades were significantly higher (p=0.048). Conclusion: Results indicated that a blended course delivery is preferred over a traditional lecture format, and promising data emerged to challenge teachers’ traditional approach to teaching general health courses at the university level. 
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