Interactive Multimedia-based E-learning: A Study of Effectiveness, Zhang tests a number of hypotheses on the effectiveness of online learning with interactivity as opposed to a traditional classroom setting. This research is extremely prevalent today as our society has adjusted and adapted to online learning, whether that be through Zoom, recorded lectures, online proctoring websites, and more. Covid-19 taught us that there is an effective way to learn when you are remote, and this research proves that it may be even more effective than traditional learning.
This study has two experiments and 3 different parts to each one. The first experiment was done over a lecture session, in which 155 students from a large, public university were given a lecture on relational algebra. Split into three groups, each had more or less online learning with interactivity, specifically being able to pause, fast forward, and skip what they wanted to. Learning is an extremely subjective process, in that not everybody moves as quickly as others, and some have a harder time with certain subjects. Before each section was a pretest on the subject, and a posttest after. The second experiment was on internet search engines, varying the subject and doubling the size of the participants. With the same pretest and posttest, both experiments had the same result, that online learning with interactivity was more effective and more satisfying for the participants than the traditional classroom setting.
Truthfully, I find these results surprising. As we have all been doing online learning for a long time now, I find it harder to focus and easier to get distracted in this setting. Although doable, as we didn’t have much of a choice when it came to the learning style, the traditional classroom allows me to pay close attention to the subject at hand and makes it less intimidating to participate in discussion, regardless of the class. I wonder if I am alone in this thought process, seeing as the majority of students, based off of this research, prefer online learning as opposed to the traditional classroom. All of our experiences have been different in terms of learning in the past 2 years, but I think interactivity is key for online learning to thrive in its effectiveness. I find that not many professors do this and that the research makes a good point in noting that in order to be successful in its environment, learning must be interactive in any way it can.
I agree with your points, Leah. I think that the ability to focus on discussions and pay attention to the class material is a lot harder to do while online. Even though there is a lot of convenience and some advantages with online learning, I prefer in-person instruction because I feel like I retain the course material more. At the same time, I think that remote learning was easier to adapt to as a third year college student with developed social skills and friends. Remote learning definitely had more adverse effects on younger children since they are developing socially and are in the fundamental stages of learning. I am curious what the future of education will look like and what effects the pandemic will have.
Leah, I think your points are really interesting and I agree with you completely. I find e-learning to be challenging and it is so easy to get distracted in that setting. As someone who has done both now, I think learning in a classroom away from your devices and distractions allows you to absorb the information way better and take more detailed notes. I think it’s important to consider the year of the student as well. Like Megan said above, once you have learned the basic math, science, reading skills and are at an advanced level in college to apply these skills, it is a lot easier to pivot to a remote environment. Early on in childhood development, e-learning presents many challenges and can slow one’s learning development.