Evaluating the effectiveness of distance learning: A comparison using meta-analysis.
Mike Allen
Edward Mabry
Michelle Mattrey
John Bourhis
Scott Titsworth
Nancy Burrell
Abstract
This article uses meta-analysis to summarize the quantitative literature comparing the performance of students in distance education versus traditional classes. The average effect (average r=.048, k= 39, N= 71,731) demonstrates that distance education course students slightly outperformed traditional students on exams and course grades. The average effect was heterogeneous, and the examination of several moderating features (presence or absence of simultaneous interaction, type of channel used in distance education, and course substance) failed to produce a homogeneous solution. The results demonstrate, however, no clear decline in educational effectiveness when using distance education technology.
Keywords
Annotation
The meta-analysis looking at performance in traditional F2F classrooms and online classes showed a small increase in student performance in online classes. However, the average effect was heterogeneous and the authors suggest that it should be “interpreted cautiously” (p. 413). Though online natural science and education courses saw no difference, and a small sample of military instruction showed a decrease, in foreign language resulted in statistically significant increased performance. Performance did not differ based on asynchronous or synchronous communication technologies. Overall, online students performed slightly better than traditional F2F students on exams and in certain courses.
APA Citation
Allen, M., Mabry, E., Mattrey, M., Bourhis, J., Titsworth, S., & Burrell, N. (2004). Evaluating the effectiveness of distance learning: A comparison using meta-analysis. Journal of Communication, 54, 402-420.
About the Study
| Links to Article | https://s3.amazonaws.com/academia.edu.documents/42650891/Evaluating_the_Effectiveness_of_Distance20160213-7352-1dio1ye.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAIWOWYYGZ2Y53UL3A&Expires=1527032517&Signature=WHqyGdVzNJXuPrh%2FCLIwV9tqk5k%3D&response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3DEvaluating_the_Effectiveness_of_Distance.pdf https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-2466.2004.tb02636.x |
| Mode | Online |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| In Publication | Journal of Communication |
| Type of Research | Quantitative |
| Research Design | Meta-analysis |
| Intervention/Areas of Study | Course design |
| Level of Analysis | Student-level |
| Specific Populations Examined | Undergraduates |
| Peer-Reviewed | Yes |
| Specific Institutional Characteristics of Interest | |
| Specific Course or Program Characteristics | |
| Outcome Variables of Interest | Academic achievement or performance, including assessment scores and course grades |
| Student Sample Size | |
| Citing Articles | https://scholar.google.com/scholar?cites=11568256302685315234&as_sdt=5,50&sciodt=0,50&hl=en |
Back to Annotation Database