Naghneh, D. (2012). Differences in perception about online, hybrid, and on-ground courses (Order No. 3512796). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I: Social Sciences; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global: Social Sciences. (1024542873). Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1024542873?accountid=14576
Naghneh, Delaram. Differences in Perception about Online, Hybrid, and On-ground Courses. Diss. Alliant International U, 2012. N.p.: Proquest, 2012. 2012. Web. 27 Feb. 2016. <http://search.proquest.com/eric/docview/1024542873/fulltextPDF/CF0E55A668B4F47PQ/1?accountid=14576>.
Naghneh's dissertation on the differences in the three modes of learning in higher education involved a survey on graduate students at Alliant International University. Subjects were grouped by gender, age, and enrollment status to eliminate room for error within the quasi-experimental study. Naghneh introduces his dissertation with many different perceptions on the use of technology, specifically the learning environment, in the higher education system. Advantages and disadvantages of each type of class were listed. Results of the study showed that quality of teaching and learning were higher in online courses than on-ground courses, and highest in the hybrid courses. As I sort through the dissertation, I keep in mind the question of are hybrid and online classes an effective form of learning in higher education, or are the traditional classrooms the most effective?
I go into exploring this source with an open mindset, but still have my opinions based on prior experience. This semester, my second semester of enrollment in higher education, I am enrolled in both an online and a hybrid course. Since I began the semester, I have been curious about the overall student success in each modality of learning. The professor for my hybrid Anatomy class insured us on the first day that the hybrid class is a better form than the traditional lecture setting. This first source I explored clearly laid out the advantages and disadvantages as well as giving me statistics for the success in the modalities of online, hybrid, and face-to-face classes. While reading the advantages of the hybrid class, a prominent statement I read states that "successful integration of technology in the classroom requires collaboration" (Page 38). I thought this did a very good job of changing my thinking, making me appreciate the most recent form of education in the classroom, the hybrid. For success in the learning environment, a student needs their professor's face-to-face interaction as well as student interaction. The hybrid classroom combines the benefits of both the online and on-ground learning environments. However, when listing the advantages and disadvantages of the online classroom, I do not see how the students are more successful in the online based class. Online classes are completely based off of how the student chooses to go through the course. A student may choose to complete the assignments, or implement the information while receiving the same grade as a student breezing through the course. Students are not held responsible comprehension, but rather simple completion of assignments. My online class consists of one assignment and quiz each week. If I wanted to, I could simply skim the chapter or search the questions on the internet without learning one thing in the course. My anatomy hybrid class meets for exams and face-to-face classes, so if we don't actually learn the material, we are held accountable. Students in hybrid classes scored 10% higher on their final exams than students in online classes (41). After reading advantages of all, I decided that the hybrid course is the best environment for students, however that may only be the case depending on subject. The disadvantages of hybrid classes section made me realize if the class is based on subjectivity, the hybrid class may not be as beneficial as if it were a science/ math based course. Students may use other's ideas to mold into their own but be unaware they are doing this. Hybrid classes are harder on administration and educators, demanding more time and money to redesign the traditional course. The technology portion requires up-to-date programs and technology along with the well-trained staff (44). The technology introduces many more learning opportunities in the learning environment than traditional classes, however depending on the student, they may feel more engaged in the traditional classroom. A student's preferred type of classroom depends on many factors such as where they live on campus, lifestyle, job demands and personal schedule (49). While the student's preference may vary based on personal factors, studies in this dissertation show that the online classroom and hybrid learning environment are more beneficial to students. I question the validity of this argument because those studies have no way of differentiating between motivated or non-motivated students. There are a list of disadvantages and advantages for all modes of learning, and the success is measured in quantitative ways. Traditional classrooms give the students better interaction, but online classes teach technological interaction, the interaction that is valued in most workplaces. I think this source has showed me that the classes a student should take are completely dependent on the student and the future of the student.
This source has led me to a few new questions. For a group of similar students, maybe an undergraduate honors group, what mode of learning was most effective in both standardized tests and skills tests? Also, how does distraction come into play with online and hybrid courses. Being in those courses myself, I know it is easy to get distracted and take much longer on an assignment than necessary. Now that I have read this source, I will examine the use of technology in the traditional classrooms. Traditional classrooms may be all face-to-face, but professors assign homework online, require technology for research, and allow note taking on laptops in class. What is the difference between a traditional course that offers online help and the traditional course that requires the traditional learning environment, technology free? The answers I can take forward from this source are the fact that standardized scores are higher within online and hybrid classes, and the benefits of the hybrid classroom take the benefits from both the traditional and online and work them into a new form of class. I do not want to explore the benefits of an online degree versus a traditional degree but rather the use of online classes and hybrid classes integrated in a traditional degree.
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