Better Results for Online Learners
The SRI International (Stanford Research Institute) produced a 93-page report on online education for the Department of Education in the USA and the results proved that online training is the way of the future. Their shocking conclusion read: "On average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction."
The report was compiled using comparative research on online versus traditional teaching from 1996 to 2008. Some of it was done with school-going learners, but the majority was for college students and adults involved in various online courses and traditional courses. Over the 12 years comparing the online and in-class performances in the same courses, it was found that on average the course online would rank in the 59th percentile, while the average classroom student ranked in the 50th percentile. Despite not being the biggest margin, it is still a meaningful result.
"The study's major significance lies in demonstrating that online learning today is not just better than nothing — it actually tends to be better than conventional instruction," said Barbara Means, the lead author of the study.
The result doesn't mean that classrooms and traditional learning should be abolished, but does show that an increased focus on online training could be the main point of focus of the next few years. Instead of just using old types of correspondence courses, the introduction of web videos, instant messaging and other tools has allowed learners to gain access to a variety of top courses, while still having the ability to communicate with a teacher and receive assistance and feedback.
Looking ahead to the future, Philip Regier, the dean of Arizona State University's Online and Extended Campus program, added: "The technology will be used to create learning communities among students in new ways. People are correct when they say online education will take things out the classroom. But they are wrong, I think, when they assume that it will make learning an independent, personal activity. Learning has to occur in a community."
If you are interested in online education or want to start an online course choose the Skills Online Group today.
