Print media vs. Computer assisted

I am researching the effectiveness of computer-assisted distance education versus more traditional print-based distance education. I am having a hard time locating published research materials on this topic. Does anyone know of any sources? Thanks in advance.

 

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Brent,

The topic of comparing two or more different media for instruction (e.g. live lecture, print, audiotape, videotape, television, videoconferencing, computer, etc.) has been studied continuously since the 1920s. When taken as a whole, these studies show no significant difference for mode of instructional delivery.

In other words, people can learn from instruction delivered via live classroom, printed media, television or computer. The significant variable is NOT how the instruction is delivered but the quality of the instruction itself and the engagement of the learner. The most oft-cited critique of media comparison studies is by Richard Clark of U.S.C. in Review of Educational Research 53(4). Most texts in the area of distance education and instructional technology research contain the following quotation from Clark:

"The current evidence is that media are mere vehicles that deliver instruction but do not influence student achievement any more than the truck that delivers our groceries causes changes in nutrition...Only the content ofthe vehile can influence achievement" (Clark, p. 445).

There are numerous sources for information on research in distance learning and instructional technology. A few of the bettwe ones are listed below:

Russell, T. The No Significant Difference Phenomenon. International Distance Education Certification Center. (A website with many of the studies citied in Russell's book can be found at http://teleeducation.nb.ca/nosignificantdifference/)

Simonsen, D. The Handbook of Research in Educational Communications & Technology. Association for Educational Communications & Technology.

Thompson, A., Simonsen, M. & Hargraves, C. Educaitonal Technology: A Review of the Research. Association for Educational Communications & Technology.

I hope that this is helpful.

Tony Pina
BA, MEd BYU
EdD La Sierra U. (dissertation in progress)

 

Thanks!

Thanks for the great resources. I ordered a copy of No Significant Differences from IDEC, I hope it is as good as the website looks. I too am in the early stages of my dissertation (Agricultural Education) but have come from a different science background (Agronomy). Through my job here at Iowa State Univ. (www.cai.iastate.edu) I am developing on-line training for ag. producers and consultants whcih is why I am researching the differences (or lack of) between delivery methods. Thanks again.

 

Brent,

You may wish to contact Michael Simonsen, one of the authors of the AECT book on educational technology research (also co-author of a very good book on distance learning that I am using as a dissertation source). Dr. Simonsen is currently at Nova Southeastern University (his home page is http://www.nova.edu/~simsmich/) but for 16 years (82-98) he was a professor at Iowa State and one of the big players in the Iowa Distance Learning Network (he published quite a bit about distance learning in Iowa).

If you decide to contact him, tell him that you were referred by an AECT colleague.

Anthony Pina
Director of Technology, Indio Charter School
Adjunct Faculty of Instructional Technology, California State U., San Bernardino

 

Don't know of any good studies

I don't know of any good academic studies.
I was in a weight maitenance group which compared in-class, to on-line, plus phone and mail, to the control.
The results showed the in person group did best followed by on-line.
But this was not regular education, the support group is important in weight maitenance.
All the best!

 

I've had the opportunity to both. For me, the print media is best, beacuse I am not tied to a computer monitor. I just finished my last class at Kennedy-Western University. The course work was combination print & interactive.

Thanks,

Soon to be a Holder of a BS Degree in Management
RJT