E-learning versus traditional learning effectiveness and outcomes

E-Learning vs. Traditional Learning

The idea that e-learning could be seriously compared to traditional learning when it comes to efficacy in learning is somewhat controversial in theory; however, in these modern days, students are looking at online learning as a non-traditional way of getting an good education -- mainly because online learning affords students the flexibility to attend classes at their own pace and time, a great luxury for many students who want to pursue a higher education but do not have the time. My hypothesis is that online learners have the ability and, in fact, they tend to outperform traditional learners in close to every subject -- however, the purpose of the study chiefly exists to show if one type of learning [e-learning or traditional learning] can be plausibly deemed more effective than the other.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to compare e-learning vs. traditional learning and if there is one that is more effective overall. The study will be a "true experiment," as the survey group will be selected via random selection. The experiment will survey a panel of 100 individuals, with the population consisting of 50 men and 50 women. The people will be chosen via random selection. First a letter will be written to ten different schools asking for volunteer educators for the study. After we have a list of volunteers, they will be separated into males and females and then 50 females and 50 males will be randomly selected from a "hat." Twenty-five of the females and 25 of the males will be teachers of e-learners and 25 of the males and 25 of the females will be teachers of traditional learners. Stratification of the population will occur in this study. The nature of the survey will be identified in the letter and survey to the schools. The timeline for the study is two weeks.

The survey that the teacher will take is to discover which is more effective -- e-learning or traditional learning. There are a number of variables in the study, including: gender, age, socioeconomic status (SES), and attitudes and behaviors (for example, racism, social control, political power, and leadership, etc.).

Which is more effective? E-learning vs. traditional learning? Both have the potential of being equally effective; this survey will also attempt to illustrate which styles of learning are the most effective when it comes to certain learners. For example, older, more mature students may find it easier to excel in online learning because they are able to choose the time and place to learn -- and they may find it easier to juggle certain elements of their life at the same time (for example, if they hold a full-time job, are parents, or have other requirements in their lives that keep them occupied for certain periods of time). However, younger students who have never excelled in traditional learning environments may also do well because they will be given the responsibility of making their own schedules and working at their own pace -- giving them a feeling of autonomy and responsibility.

The instrument will be a survey that will be made of approximately 20 to 30 questions. The teachers will be asked questions related to learning approaches, learning styles and the impact of e-learning and traditional learner in the performance of their students. They will also be asked to express their own views on the way that e-learning and traditional learning influence the way in which students learn.