by KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman
In the tech section of The New York Times, BITS blog, an article highlights a 93 page report by SRI International for the Department of Education citing the finding that “students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction.”
The research looked at online versus traditional classroom teaching with most of the studies done in colleges and varied continuing-education programs over a 12 year period. The gain was small; however, it was statistically significant and results could be used to expand online education as evidence mounts on its benefits.
Thousands and thousands of students of all ages take undergraduate and graduate work far distances from their homes. Public schools in rural areas are using Internet resources when teachers for subject matter areas are not available and large numbers of home schoolers, those making career changes and the handicapped make use of online courses as well.
While one might think that college professors feel negative about losing that face to face contact, many believe that they get to know their students better through frequent email contact.
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