When no special efforts are made to hold learning methods constant, elearning tends to outperform traditional classroom instruction.
What matters, in terms of learning effectiveness, is NOT the learning modality (elearning vs. classroom); it’s the learning methods that matter, including such factors as realistic practice, spaced repetitions, real-world contexts, and feedback.
The bottom line is that elearning in the real world tends to outperform classroom instruction because elearning programs tend to utilize more effective learning methods than classroom instruction, which still tends to rely on relatively ineffective lectures as the prime instructional method. Indeed, the finding that blended learning outperforms classroom instruction alone is a testament to this truth. When learning designers add technologyenabled capabilities, they tend to add learning methods that are different from—and more effective than—those typically used in the classroom.
In general, providing learners with realistic decision making and authentic tasks, providing feedback on these activities, and spreading repetitions of these activities over time produces large benefits.
In this study, researchers wanted to know whether using short labels on screen, instead of more extensive text, would support learning.
The results revealed that labels produced better learning retention, especially when presented with an audio voiceover, but did not improve the learners’ ability to demonstrate the safety maneuver using a real firstaid dummy.
First, elearning can target many types of learning. As evidenced in the research cited, elearning is not relegated to simple learning materials or trivial tasks.
