The Effectiveness Of Online Learning

1
The Effectiveness Of Online Learning

• Prepared for the UIUC College of Engineering
  Advisory Board Annual Meeting
• September 20, 2001
• Alaina Kanfer, Ph.D.
• Senior Solutions Consultant
• alaina.kanfer_at_born.com

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The Big Question

• Is online learning effective?
• And, the resounding answer
• YES (of course)

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Research Reports Agree

• Thomas Russell The No Significant Difference
  Phenomenon (400 studies)
• Review of 32 ALN studies Spencer Hiltz (coined
  funded by Sloan) conclude in the majority of
  cases ALN judged either n.s.d. or more effective
  than traditional face to face classroom.
• Synchronous online learning too NCSA study-
  N.s.d. in quizzes, and higher satisfaction

4
Corporate Environments too

• Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta (Online Learning
  Magazine) found error rate on lab procedure drop
  to ZERO.
• Ford Motor Company reported 30 savings from
  online learning
• John Chambers (Cisco CEO) predicts eLearning is
  next big killer app
• ASTD benchmarking forum predicts eLearning will
  account for 18 of training in 2002
• Others predict eLearning will eclipse traditional
  training by 2004 or 5

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Study Limitations

• In one issue of the ASTD magazine (8/01)
• One article places blended learning solutions on
  a spectrum furthest from learning that is most
  integrated on the job
• Another article argues that blended learning will
  win- because eLearning is not always the answer
• Whats the Difference?
• Report highlights lack of attention to
  significant details in these studies (e.g.
  learning styles and type of technology used)

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Experiences in the Real World

• Big investment in CBT and online learning systems
• And in some cases, no one uses it!

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The big question

• Is online learning effective?
• The REAL Answer
• It Depends!

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Many different types of online learning

• Universities offer online courses
• Learning platforms designed to support corporate
  training
• Some companies develop their own University
• Online Universities that customize degrees for
  companies

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Since 1982 - NJIT
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UI Online
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Platforms- Blackboard
12
Virtual Classrooms
13
Prometheus- Asynch Disc.
14
K12 Schools Online
15
Corporate Training SmartForce
16
Corporate LMS SABA
17
Corporate University- BORN
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Corporate Specific Curriculum
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Online Universities Capella
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Simple Interface
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Focus On Customization Corporate MBA
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Focus On Quality IT Programs

• An Online Learning Community
• Learning from Experienced IT Professionals
• An Integrated Action Learning
• Personal and Team Learning Projects
• Computer Labs and Professional Software Tools
• Professional Thinking Habits
• Interconnections
• Complex dynamic systems
• Relationships
• Collaboration
• Professional development
• Professional Learning E-Portfolio

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How To Choose?

• Organization
• Learners
• Technology
• Content

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What Is Your Organizational Culture?

• Consider
• Technology instructional expectations
• Access to technology
• Time contraints
• Reward structures
• These can change too
• Consider using blended learning to introduce
  online learning

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What Types Of Learners Do You Have?

• Asynchronous Learning Networks
• Independent workers
• Good time management skills
• Motivated self-disciplined
• Synchronous broadcast delivery
• On the clock
• Less self-disciplined
• Traditional
• Flexibility in delivery options allows online
  training to many types of learners

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What Types of Content doYou Need to Deliver?

• Transfer of information (e.g. lecture)
• No need to do F2F, unless there is star appeal
• Archived video, audio, text, ppt
• Certification testing
• More authentication needed
• Skills based learning ?
• Authentic, learning by doing
• Simulations make this possible
• Matching technology with content type

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Cognitive or Conceptual Learning?

• Concepts are implicit, embedded in social
  contexts
• Requires interaction to share
• Especially important among working professionals
• Effectiveness of online learning highlighted in
  collaborative learning environments (Hiltz et.al)
• General movement in ed toward collaborative
  learning
• Disadvantage of online learning is loss of social
  opportunity
• Collaborative technologies can be used to support
  collaboration (e.g. discussions, chat,
  application sharing, whiteboard)

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But It Is Hard

• Students will not use online features unless the
  feeling of cohesion is explicitly fostered (NJIT)
• Text and audio communication are less rich media
  than video (Short Christie, 1986)
• Learning anytime/anyplace (24/7) requires
  instructors to facilitate and respond 24/7
• Online facilitation skills grow especially
  important for instructors

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Benefits Of Online Learning

• Anytime/anyplace
• Self paced
• Adaptive
• Monitoring
• Addressing changes in pedagogy
• From sage on stage to authentic collaborative
• Difficulty in supporting social interactions
  online requires more attention to instructional
  design

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Lessons

• Marketing
• Consider using blended learning to introduce
  online learning
• Incentivize
• Gather requirements
• Flexibility in delivery options allows online
  training to many types of learners
• Matching technology with content type
• Conduct usability testing
• Focus on Quality
• Difficulty in supporting social interactions
  online requires more attention to instructional
  design
• Online facilitation skills grow especially
  important for instructors

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Thank you.

• Alaina Kanfer
• alaina.kanfer_at_born.com