Performance Outcomes of Online Learning Versus Traditional Environments

Abstract The use of technology in higher education science classrooms rose significantly in the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. In many universities, academic programs including introductory physics classes were taken online. Some institutions adopted online learning but also maintained face-to-face (F2F) laboratories when COVID-19 restrictions began to ease. Here, the effectiveness of the online learning approach in comparison with F2F learning is explored. The percentage difference in performance for students who took the online introductory physics course, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, versus that of students simultaneously taking the same course F2F is reported. This is done both across different sections taught by different instructors, and for the same course taught online versus F2F by the same professor. Furthermore, a short survey was conducted to assess the student learning experience and opinion about online and F2F learning. The results show equal or better overall performance for online learning with 4.2% higher performance when comparing results across different sections taught by different instructors. A similar 6.1% performance improvement was seen when comparing results across different sections taught by the same instructor. In contrast with the performance outcomes, the survey results indicate that about 72% of students prefer F2F compared to online learning. The findings provide a useful reference as many institutions and programs transition back to more standard F2F or hybrid learning modes. The benefits and drawbacks of each mode are discussed in the specific context of student preferences and challenges faced in online learning during COVID-19.

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The Titanic, Volkswagens and collaborative group work: Remaking old favourites with new learning technologies

Australasian Journal of Educational Technology ◽

10.14742/ajet.1795 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Colin Baskin

Keyword(s):

Online Learning ◽

Group Work ◽

Performance Outcomes ◽

Learning Technologies ◽

Collaborative Group ◽

Learning Context ◽

Learning Groups ◽

Efficient Learning ◽

The Cost ◽

Collaborative Group Work

Unsinkable ships, Volkswagens and collaborative group work have much in common. They have each undergone a recent revival of sorts; in each case the new version bears a strong Wittgensteinian resemblance to its more classic predecessor; and in each case the end user is able to enjoy the nostalgic experience of having once again rediscovered the wheel. This is a powerful experiential principle, one so powerful in fact that it drives us to part with the cost of a movie ticket even though we know how the movie ends! The ship still sinks on April 14th; the 'bug' still looks like a beetle-plus and group work is still largely a 'lottery' experience for students at university.This paper is about finding a way (or ways) to disrupt this cycle of repetition, not by raising the Titanic (for this has been tried), nor by terminating the Volkswagen (Woody Allen pointed out in the film Sleepers that they were clearly unstoppable). Rather, this paper will concentrate on how to re-engineer collaborative group work practices using online learning technologies, thereby enhancing their role as an effective, flexible and efficient learning exchange. In comparing the performance outcomes of 'online' learning groups to a study of 'real time' learning groups (Hogan 1999), the paper sets about building a case for the former. The paper deals specifically with how collaborative online learning groups can be used to:<ul><li>Establish an authentic learning context</li><li>Accommodate learner needs</li><li>Enrich learner experiences; and</li><li>Inform instructor perspectives.</li></ul>

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Quantifying Vocal Power: Correlation of Whole-Body Anaerobic Power to Vocal Function Measures

Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research ◽

10.1044/2020_jslhr-20-00110 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 63 (8) ◽

pp. 2597-2608

Author(s):

Emily N. Snell ◽

Laura W. Plexico ◽

Aurora J. Weaver ◽

Mary J. Sandage

Keyword(s):

Fundamental Frequency ◽

Forced Vital Capacity ◽

Vital Capacity ◽

Anaerobic Power ◽

Performance Outcomes ◽

Sound Level ◽

Whole Body ◽

Vocal Function ◽

Laryngeal Diadochokinesis ◽

High Sound

Purpose The purpose of this preliminary study was to identify a vocal task that could be used as a clinical indicator of the vocal aptitude or vocal fitness required for vocally demanding occupations in a manner similar to that of the anaerobic power tests commonly used in exercise science. Performance outcomes for vocal tasks that require rapid acceleration and high force production may be useful as an indirect indicator of muscle fiber complement and bioenergetic fitness of the larynx, an organ that is difficult to study directly. Method Sixteen women (age range: 19–24 years, M age = 22 years) were consented for participation and completed the following performance measures: forced vital capacity, three adapted vocal function tasks, and the horizontal sprint test. Results Using a within-participant correlational analyses, results indicated a positive relationship between the rate of the last second of a laryngeal diadochokinesis task that was produced at a high fundamental frequency/high sound level and anaerobic power. Forced vital capacity was not correlated with any of the vocal function tasks. Conclusions These preliminary results indicate that aspects of the laryngeal diadochokinesis task produced at a high fundamental frequency and high sound level may be useful as an ecologically valid measure of vocal power ability. Quantification of vocal power ability may be useful as a vocal fitness assessment or as an outcome measure for voice rehabilitation and habilitation for patients with vocally demanding jobs.

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Executive Functions and Clinical and Academic Outcomes in Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students

Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups ◽

10.1044/2020_persp-19-00143 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (5) ◽

pp. 1221-1230

Author(s):

Jane Roitsch ◽

Kimberly A. Murphy ◽

Anastasia M. Raymer

Keyword(s):

Executive Function ◽

Academic Outcomes ◽

Graduate Program ◽

Performance Outcomes ◽

Future Research ◽

Speech Language Pathology ◽

Grade Point ◽

Praxis Ii ◽

Language Pathology ◽

Preliminary Study

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate executive function measures as they relate to clinical and academic performance outcomes of graduate speech-language pathology students. Method An observational design incorporating correlations and stepwise multiple regressions was used to determine the strength of the relationships between clinical outcomes that occurred at various time points throughout the graduate program (clinical coursework grades throughout the program and case study paper scores at the end of the program), academic outcomes (graduate grade point average and Praxis II exam in speech-language pathology scores), and executive function (EF) scores (EF assessment scores, self-reported EF scores). Participants were 37 students (36 women, M age = 24.1) in a master's degree program in speech-language pathology at a southeastern U.S. university during the 2017–2018 academic year. Results Findings of this preliminary study indicated that a limited number of objective EF scores and self-reported EF scores were related to clinical and academic outcomes of graduate speech-language pathology students. Conclusion As results of this preliminary study suggest that EF tests may be related to clinical and academic outcomes, future research can move to study the potential role of EF measures in the graduate admissions process in clinical graduate programs such as speech-language pathology.

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