Does Blended Learning In Modern High Leaning Sectors Give The Best Learner Satisfaction And Learning Outcomes - Assignment Example

Does Blended Learning In Modern High Leaning Sectors Give The Best Learner Satisfaction And Learning Outcomes? INTRODUCTION Blended learning is a system of learning where a teacher interacts one on one with students and learning through computer aided instructions. Traditionally, technology was used to supplement face to face method of learning. A class having three sessions in a week can instead of meeting thrice in a week decide to meet only once and the other classes can be conducted online (Martyn M. 2003). Blended learning can also be described as a method of learning where teaching involves use of both face to face interaction and technology-aided lessons. (Dziuban, Hartman and Moskal. 2004. Pp2) Blended learning can vary in aspect and form depending on students and teachers concerned. Blended learning can also be described using terns such as “mixed-mode”, “integrative” and “hybrid” (Martyn M. 2003). Blended learning has become a contemporary phenomenon in most higher learning sectors with most researchers trying to come up with clearer distinction of the method from others and establishing the overall impact and learning outcomes of this phenomenon (Bathyod, M. 2008).Learner satisfaction is also used by many researchers to evaluate the viability of blended learning (Graham, C.R. 2005). There is also need for public institutions to incorporate technology in learning (Ginns and Ellis 2009, p. 652). This study tries to assess in general how the extensive adoption of this method in higher learning impact on learning and student satisfaction. This is then compared with a scenario where two other learning methods like exclusive use of face to face learning and exclusive technology aided learning. Research questions and objectives are set and methods for answering and evaluating the learning method against other methods are set. This paper suggests trying two research methods for the study; survey method of research and an extensive single case study of an Australian university called the university of western Sydney (UWS). Two colleges of the university; the college of Education and the college of engineering make up the two samples of the study where 350 students each are reached out by the researcher. The best of the two research methods will then be selected for the study. This study is going to analyze the best criteria for coming up with the most efficient approach or methodology the research will use. RESEARCH QUESTION AND DISCUSSIONS This section covers what the research is really about. The research problem is posed in various questions that call for an intensive research in search of the answer to the main question. As mentioned above, this study tries to assess in general how the extensive adoption of this method in higher learning impact on learning and student satisfaction. This is then compared with a scenario where two other learning methods like exclusive use of face to face learning and exclusive technology aided learning. In an attempt to try to answer the question ‘does blended learning in modern high leaning sectors give the best learner satisfaction and learning outcomes?’ the following questions arise Research Questions 1. Can a learning method used have any significant difference in the students’ achievement? 2. What is the relationship between the methods of study and the social, economic and demographic characteristics of learners? 3. How can learner satisfaction and significant difference on the type learning and method employed be compared? 4. Does the overall student confidence significantly vary with the type of method used? 5. Can we find a significant difference in the teacher evaluation by the students in each of the three methods? 6. How is the school dropping rate related to the type of learning method used? 7. How can we compare the research results from the two samples of the two colleges of UWS we are going to use? Main Focus and Objectives The main objective of the study will include: 1. To find out if there is a significant difference in students’ achievement in the various learning methods. 2. To find out if there is any relationship between the choice of the method and socio-economic and socio-demographic characteristics of the students. 3. To ascertain the overall level of student satisfaction in each of the methods used. 4. To ascertain the overall level of student confidence in each of the methods. 5. To find out if there is a significant difference in teacher evaluation by the students in each of the method. 6. To quantify the rate of school dropouts when each of the above method is used. 7. To make a conclusive comparison of the results from each of the samples used for this study. RESEARCH APPROACHES TO BE USED. This study will critically try to weigh two possible approaches to use during the study and identify the most appropriate approach for this method. Survey method and a multiple case study are proposed as the two possible approaches. CASE STUDY A case study is a rigorous scrutiny of an independent unit that includes a certain group, event or person (Bent, F 2011). An intensive analysis of the use of blended, face to face and online learning in the two colleges of UWS University; the college of Education and the college of Engineering is one possible way of stabling the impact of the various learning methods and using the result to answer the research question. In this case, an indebt, longitudinal (over a long period of time) examination of the three learning methods in the two colleges will be conducted. A systematic way of conducting the study analyzing the information and reporting the results is identified. Method of collecting data Critical observation, participation and experimentation are some of the methods the researcher will use to collect information. Sitting in each set of class where each uses different learning methods and making clear observations on student satisfaction, student teacher interaction, how the students understand the concepts and the student level of confidence is how the researcher will use observation method in the case study. School invigilating officers use this method to evaluate learning activities in schools. The researcher may also use experimentation where students on the same range of academic capabilities are grouped into three groups. One of the groups will learn using blended method, the other will use face to face and the last group will use online learning. The same topics will then taught and same set of questions given to each group. The experiment will be conducted over and over and interchangeably for each group to critically evaluate the methods. Another possible way is to use stored records of examination results to compare performance levels on each method of learning and discipline and school drop out levels on each set of class using the different learning methods. Lastly the researcher can interact with the students from each set of class and ask questions, share opinions and analyze their general attitudes towards the learning method they are exposed to. Analysis of the information Clear sampling of students, clear guidelines on conducting the research and over and over testing of parameters is a reliable method of conducting the study and answering the research questions in an unbiased manner. Both qualitative and quantitative information will be gathered from both the college of education and college of engineering set of students. A one way ANOVA (analysis of variables) will then be conducted on the data collected. Percentages, Distribution, Mean scores and averages of each of the phenomena under investigation will be calculated. Rates of students’ performance, rate of school drop outs and disciplinary cases, students’ level of satisfaction, level of student-teacher interactions, teachers’ evaluation and student confidence in blended face to face and online learning techniques are calculated. Presentation of information This information is then going to be presented in tables clearly distinguishing each set of learning environment. Graphs and pie charts will then be drawn to represent the information and make it clear to understand. From the presentations, the researcher can make conclusions whether blended learning has desirable results, results into higher levels of student satisfaction, provides a better opportunity for teacher evaluation and builds a lot of student confidence as compared to the other two learning methods. If this is the case then the researcher will have successfully used the case study approach to answer the research question. SURVEY METHOD Surveys are non-tentative expressions of research methods that are very helpful in gathering opinion especially when elements are hard to observe and experiment on (Hater, B. 1980). Questionnaires and interview questions are another possible research approach the researcher can use for this research. The researcher will use the research questions to clearly design a questionnaire that can be used in this study. Sampling Method The researcher will sample the University of UWS into two target populations, the college of education students and the college of engineering students. A total of 350 students each from the two populations will be targeted. Systematic random sampling method will be used to pick the 350 students to participate in the research to avoid biased picking. Students will first be categorized into various groups of academic level, gender, method of learning, place of residence and year of study. The various groupings will then dictate how many members from each group can be targeted for the study. The researcher can then use various methods like picking yes and no cards, selecting on first come first serve basis or any other suitable method. Questionnaires will then be distributed to the participants who will be required to give honest opinions and responses to the interview questions or questionnaires. EVALUATION OF THE TWO APPROACHES ABOVE The survey approach will require that the researcher develops interview or questionnaire questions whose answers will be used to answer the research question efficiently. Respondents are expected to give as much information as possible and try to be as much honest as possible. This approach is easy to conduct and reliable in busy institutions. The use of a case study approach on the other hand will require the researcher to conduct an indebt, longitudinal (over a long period of time) examination of the three learning methods in the two colleges. A systematic way of conducting the study analyzing the information and reporting the results is identified. Verdict The survey approach may be easy and relatively less time consuming but it has a down side. Respondents have a lot of freedom to express their own opinions and the information collected is entirely personal opinion which may be subjective. The participants are also expected to be honest but some may decide not to. This leaves the research exposed to possible erroneous information or exaggerated opinions that may skew the findings of the research. The use of a case study approach to this study is very time consuming, demands a lot of commitment and is very rigorous but is a sure way to come up with reliable information that can correctly answer the research question. And therefore this method is proposed as the more efficient of the two approaches. CONCLUSION An analysis of the two approaches proposes that the researcher adopts a case study for this study. The researcher will make arrangements to make extensive observations of all the three methods, share with various students in each of the learning scenario and use clear guidelines to make inference from the various school records like examination results to get information for the study. An extensive case study will therefore be credible and reliable in comparing the three learning methods and correctly answering the research question. Read More

RESEARCH QUESTION AND DISCUSSIONS This section covers what the research is really about. The research problem is posed in various questions that call for an intensive research in search of the answer to the main question. As mentioned above, this study tries to assess in general how the extensive adoption of this method in higher learning impact on learning and student satisfaction. This is then compared with a scenario where two other learning methods like exclusive use of face to face learning and exclusive technology aided learning.

In an attempt to try to answer the question ‘does blended learning in modern high leaning sectors give the best learner satisfaction and learning outcomes?’ the following questions arise Research Questions 1. Can a learning method used have any significant difference in the students’ achievement? 2. What is the relationship between the methods of study and the social, economic and demographic characteristics of learners? 3. How can learner satisfaction and significant difference on the type learning and method employed be compared? 4. Does the overall student confidence significantly vary with the type of method used? 5. Can we find a significant difference in the teacher evaluation by the students in each of the three methods? 6. How is the school dropping rate related to the type of learning method used? 7. How can we compare the research results from the two samples of the two colleges of UWS we are going to use?

Main Focus and Objectives The main objective of the study will include: 1. To find out if there is a significant difference in students’ achievement in the various learning methods. 2. To find out if there is any relationship between the choice of the method and socio-economic and socio-demographic characteristics of the students. 3. To ascertain the overall level of student satisfaction in each of the methods used. 4. To ascertain the overall level of student confidence in each of the methods. 5. To find out if there is a significant difference in teacher evaluation by the students in each of the method. 6. To quantify the rate of school dropouts when each of the above method is used. 7. To make a conclusive comparison of the results from each of the samples used for this study.

RESEARCH APPROACHES TO BE USED. This study will critically try to weigh two possible approaches to use during the study and identify the most appropriate approach for this method. Survey method and a multiple case study are proposed as the two possible approaches. CASE STUDY A case study is a rigorous scrutiny of an independent unit that includes a certain group, event or person (Bent, F 2011). An intensive analysis of the use of blended, face to face and online learning in the two colleges of UWS University; the college of Education and the college of Engineering is one possible way of stabling the impact of the various learning methods and using the result to answer the research question.

In this case, an indebt, longitudinal (over a long period of time) examination of the three learning methods in the two colleges will be conducted. A systematic way of conducting the study analyzing the information and reporting the results is identified. Method of collecting data Critical observation, participation and experimentation are some of the methods the researcher will use to collect information. Sitting in each set of class where each uses different learning methods and making clear observations on student satisfaction, student teacher interaction, how the students understand the concepts and the student level of confidence is how the researcher will use observation method in the case study.

School invigilating officers use this method to evaluate learning activities in schools. The researcher may also use experimentation where students on the same range of academic capabilities are grouped into three groups. One of the groups will learn using blended method, the other will use face to face and the last group will use online learning.

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