Comparing Learning Outcomes of Traditional Face-to-face Learning Approach and Blended Learning Approach in College English Teaching and Learning
Author(s):
Wei Zhang (presenting / submitting) Chang Zhu
Conference:
ECER 2013
Format:
Paper

Session Information

ERG SES D 01, Online Learning

Paper Session

Time:
2013-09-09
13:30-15:00
Room:
A-101
Chair:
Patrícia Fidalgo

Contribution

The term “blended learning” is being used with increased frequency in both academic and corporate circles (Charles R. Graham, 2006). In 2003, the American Society for Training and Development identified blended learning as one of the top ten trends to emerge in the knowledge delivery industry (Rooney, 2003). In 2002, The Chronicle of Higher Education quoted the president of Pennsylvania State University as saying that the convergence between online and face-to-face instruction was “the single-greatest unrecognized trend in higher education today” (Young, 2002). Also quoted in that article was the editor of The Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks who predicted a dramatic increase in the number of hybrid (i.e., blended) courses in higher education, possibly to include as many as 80-90% of all courses (Young, 2002). Blended Learning could become one of the most significant developments of the 21st century.” (Osguthorpe & Graham, 2003)Although blended learning or blended e-learning sounds like a confusing term at first since it is relatively a new term for today‘s instructors (Ates, 2009), it is an inevitable trend because traditional face-to-face learning environment is indispensable for social aspect of teaching and learning however Internet based asynchronous technologies such as e-mail, forum, listserv, blog, e-portfolio, webfolio.etc. can provide learners more flexible and interactive learning environments independent from time and space (Ateş, Turalı & Güneyce, 2008). Blended learning is education that combines face-to-face classroom methods with computer-mediated activities (Strauss & Valerie, 2012). This new approach to learning incorporates and integrates the strengths of face-to-face and online learning in a synergistic manner to create a “unique learning experience congruent with the context and intended educational purpose” (Garrison & Vaughan, 2009). This research investigates blended learning in a comprehensive university in Beijing, comparing the effect of blended learning and traditional face-to-face learning. The research questions are: 1) Are there significant differences of learning outcome of college students following the traditional face-to-face approach and the blended learning approach?  2) To what extent do the student groups differ in their learning outcomes following the blended learning approach? 

Method

This study examined 5383 students in Beijing Union University, including 3 faculties, 34 majors. All these students were undergraduate students (freshmen and sophomore). For college English teaching and learning, 2885 students in 3 faculties were taught under the traditional face-to-face learning approach in the first semester of 2009-2010. 2498 students in 3 faculties were taught under the blended learning approach in the first semester of 2010-2011. This study compared the final term examination scores of the two groups of students. Using SPSS, the mean of the final term examination scores were tested. Independent Samples T-test and One-way ANOVA Analysis were used to compare the means of different groups to test the learning outcomes under the different learning approaches.

Expected Outcomes

The results show that blended learning approach is more effective than traditional face-to-face approach for the learning outcomes of College English teaching and learning. The mean of final term scores in the first semester of 2009-2010 was 71.510 (out of 100), and in the first semester of 2010-2011 it was 74.050. The results show that there were significant differences between the means (p<.001). Students of three faculties (Management, Automation, & Information Faculty) following blended learning approach all had a higher mean score (MM=75.881, MA=73.594, MI=73.110) compared to students following traditional approach (MM=72.446, MA=71.256, MI=70.982). The results show that there were significant differences between the means of two approaches (PM<.001, PA<.001, PI<.001). The results indicate that students in Management Faculty benefited most under blended learning approach compared to students in other two faculties. Both freshmen and sophomore had a higher mean score following blended learning approach (MF=74.883, MS=73.022) compared to the mean score following traditional approach (MF=71.107, MS=72.139). The results show that there were significant differences between the means of two approaches for freshmen (p<.001). The results indicate that freshmen benefited more from blended learning approach than sophomore. The results of the study are discussed and compared with other available studies.

References

Ateş, A., Turalı, Y. and Güneyce, Z. (2008). Using blended learning model in teacher education: A case study. In Proceedings of the 2nd International Computer and Instructional Technologies Symposium, April 16-18, Ege University, Kuşadası, Aydın, Turkey, Pegema Publishing, pp.1118-1130. Ates Alev, (2009). The Handbook of Blended Learning: Global Perspectives, Local Designs. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education-TOJDE, Volume: 10 Number: 4 Book Review 3. D. Randy Garrison & Norman D. Vaughan (2009). Blended Learning in Higher Education. Canadian Journal of University Continuing Education, Vol. 35, No. 2, pp. 109–123. Graham, C. R. (2006). Blended Learning Systems: Definition, Current Trends, and Future Directions. In C. J. Bonk, & C. R. Graham (Eds.), The Handbook of Blended Learning: Global Perspectives, Local Designs (pp.3-21). San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer Publishing. Osguthorpe, R. T. & Graham, C. R. (2003). Blended Learning Environments: Definitions and Directions. The Quarterly Review of Distance Education, 4(3), 227-233. Rooney, J. E. (2003). Blending learning opportunities to enhance educational programming and meetings. Association Managment, 55(5), 26-32. Strauss, Valerie (2012). Three fears about blended learning, The Washington Post. Young, J. R. (2002). 'Hybrid' teaching seeks to end the divide between traditional and online instruction. Chronicle of Higher Education, pp. A33.

Author Information

Wei Zhang (presenting / submitting)
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Psychology and Educational Sciences
Brussels
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium

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