Mid-South Instructional Technology Conference
Teaching, Learning, & Technology
The Connected Classroom
April 7-9, 2002
A Tale of Two Classes: Face-to-Face versus Online
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By: Carol Wilson |
Abstract
A study of student achievement and satisfaction in two sections of an advanced data structures course, one face-to-face and the other online.
Description
Are the distinctions between classroom, web-based, and online learning disappearing? The effect of the instructional media on student achievement has been vigorously debated in articles with expressive titles such as: "The 'No Significant Difference' Phenomenon" (Russell, 1997), "A Significant Difference" (Orr, 1997), "What's the Difference?" (Phipps & Merisotis, 1999), and "The Difference Frenzy and Matching Buckshot for Buckshot" (Brown & Wack, 1999). To explore the distinction between classroom and online learning, a study was conducted of student achievement and satisfaction in two sections of an advanced data structures course. Both sections were taught by the same instructor, one online and the other face-to-face. All students used the same textbook, had access to the same web-based resources, and completed the same assignments. The face-to-face section had 100 minutes of lecture per week and students had the opportunity to ask questions during this time. The online section was provided with lecture notes and students asked questions via e-mail or phone. This research is in progress and the results will be available for the April conference.
Proceeding