E-Learning vs. Traditional Learning Despite

E-Learning vs. Traditional Learning Despite the amount of information that already exists on the topic of online education vs. traditional educational settings, there are still several areas in the research that are highly inconclusive, and with only a general knowledge of certain factors. These three different research designs (action research, quantitative, and qualitative) will attempt to show how issues with online learning can be discovered and addressed through different methods. Action Research. This action research study will basically attempt to turn a group of 10 online students into researchers.

The study's goal is to show how online learning can be improved so that it is on more equal footing as traditional learning when it comes to the amount that students learn. The students will come up with a diagnosis of the "problem" and then consider different ways to address the problem.

For example, if the students diagnose the problem with online learning as "too solitary," "not enough interaction with other students," or "not enough one-on-one time with the instructor," the students then consider how those issues can be dealt with. Once they've contemplated different ways in which to do that, they will select the course of action that they think will be the most beneficial to their problem. After they have taken action against the problem, they will evaluate how the action either helped or didn't help. Quantitative Study.

The potential for a more effective and performance-enhancing educational experience through the utilization of Internet-based technologies is indicated by the fact that there is no measurable performance deficit to online classrooms despite the fact that many instructors are not fully utilizing online instructional methods in the most effective manner (Daymont & Blau 2008; Coulter & Ray 2009). With proper instructional techniques, the effects of online education could potentially be altered significantly in a positive direction.

This quantitative study will attempt to determine the specific obstacles that still exist to online education and the current best practices for overcoming these obstacles, as demonstrated by a variety of independent and original research studies conducted on the topic. The hypothesis is that if these obstacles can be overcome, online learning can be as effective as traditional learning. For this quantitative study, a sample of 100 students will be surveyed.

Fifty of the students will be traditional learners who have taken at least one online course and 50 of the students will be non-traditional -- online -- learners. The online learners will be given a questionnaire with 25 questions pertaining to online learning vs. traditional learning and their experience with it. The questionnaire will be multiple-choice.

Questions asked will specifically be related to problems with online learning and obstacles -- if any -- that stand in the way of learning (for example, no face-to-face time with instructor, solitary learning, lack of interaction with other students, etc.). For the traditional learners, they will also be given a questionnaire with 25 multiple-choice questions. Because they are students who have also taken online classes (at least one), they will be asked questions pertaining to the differences in online vs. traditional learning.

Some of the questions asked will be about how they learned, whether they found solitary learning difficult, whether have face-to-face time with an instructor is important for learning, etc. Qualitative Study.

The existence, if any, performance difference between students in online and traditional learning environments has yet to be conclusively determined; though several studies have found no significant difference in performance, the existence of different motivational factors and learning styles as well as the increased engagement of students in online environments seems to suggest that a performance enhancement is available in online educational settings (Daymont & Blau 2008; Liu 2007; Wighting et al. 2008).

In this descriptive -- or observational -- study, five traditional students and five online students who are taking similar courses will be observed. The observations will focus on what is being learned and how it is being taught. By observing the ten students (5 traditional and 5 online), the goal will be to describe the different ways that the students get information about the course's topic (lecture, readings -- online or traditional books, through study groups, chat forums/sessions, etc.). More specifically, what is being taught will be looked at.

If the topic is the same, how is the information given to the students and how do they learn the material. By focusing on the 'what' and 'how,' the hope is to discover if there is more learning occurring in traditional or online. This will be observed through coursework assessment and observing in the classroom and while the students are participating in the online course. There will not be any intervention whatsoever with the students -- that is to say that the research will be done purely through observation.

In regards to the student's performance, the observational study hopes to discover how students participate, and to what extent, by looking at their motivation and dedication to.