E-Learning v. Traditional Learning for

e-Learning v. Traditional Learning For a quantitative proposal you are planning, draw a visual model of the variables in the theory using the procedures for causal model design advanced in this chapter. This study will attempt to focus on the preference of adult learners (i.e., e-learning vs. traditional learning). The variables in this study are gender, age, and socioeconomic status (SES) -- as well as variables such attitudes (e.g., racism), social control, political power, and/or leadership (Creswell).

Creswell ( ) notes that in a "temporal order" of variables, one variable probably causes another. This study will survey 100 different students -- fifty men and fifty women -- of different ages and SES. The survey will ask questions regarding attitudes -- specifically related to race, social and political issues. The participants will be found through local community colleges and universities via a written letter and will then be contacted by e-mail or phone.

Locate qualitative journal articles that (a) use an a priori theory that is modified during the process of research, (b) generate or develop a theory at the end of the study, and (c) represent descriptive research without the use of an explicit theoretical model. Ehlers, U.D. (2004). Quality in e-learning from a learner's perspective. Eden Research Workshop.

Retrieved on September 13, 2010, from the Website: http://www.eurodl.org/materials/contrib/2004/Online_Master_COPs.html Ehler's (2004) article explains learners' preferences in e-learning based on empirical results of one of the largest surveys in this field. It can be reasoned that it is the quality of learning that decides which style (e-learning or traditional learning) is preferred and which style is more effective than the other. Like traditional learning where teaching styles and teachers vary significantly, the same is true in an e-learning environment.

Elements such as curriculum and structure will make a big difference in the quality of the e-learning experience -- thus leading to a preference (or not). Keller, C. (2004). Students' perceptions of e-learning in university education. InformaWorld. Taylor & Francis Group. Retrieved on September 14, 2010, from the Website: http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~db=all~content=a713604864 Keller's (2004) article discusses students' perceptions of e-learning at Jonkoping University in Sweden. The students had two years experience in e-earning on the campus.

The students took a survey with open-ended questions and then their results were analyses in a multiple regression analysis, putting the students' perception in relation to gender, age, their previous experience and knowledge of computers, learning styles, and their attitudes concerning new technology. The study showed that most students didn't consider e-learning as a benefit on campus; males who had previous experience with computers and students with positive attitudes about new technology were less positive to e-learning on campus that other students, overall. 3.

Locate a mixed methods study that uses a theoretical lens, such as a feminist, ethical/racial, or class perspective. Identify specifically how the lens shapes the steps taken in the research process. Fullerton's (2010) study looks at transformative learning, noting that the task that male and female students face in learning is to reframe and understand -- in a different way -- the world that they once knew. It is the transformation of meaning.

Fullerton (2010) suggests that in order to be transformed via learning, the education needs to expose students to different and many opportunities for intentional learning through a formal academic curriculum, student life, and community based and global experiences. Looking at Fullerton's (2010) definition of learning, how can e-learning offer student life and community-based and/or global experiences? That is, how can e-learning offer transformative learning? While students may have a preference toward one way of learning (e-learning vs.

traditional) based on their own subjective ideas, race, gender, and SES, it is up for debate whether.