The Web's Impact on Student Learning

Research into the effectiveness of online learning has been focused mainly on the areas of critical thinking and writing skills. Content analysis is one method of evaluating online exchanges like chats and threaded discussions. A 1995 study (Cochrane, Newman, & Webb) showed that students were less likely to contribute novel ideas online and more likely to make important statements and link ideas compared to normal classroom interactions. This implies that internet exchanges may be better suited for linear thinking than brainstorming. Online discussions allow students ample time to consider appropriate responses and analyze issues and problems introduced by a prompt or other participant. In order to understand the effectiveness and usefulness of online education, it is also important to consider and research social implications for communicating without seeing others. We lose a number of valuable nonverbal social cues in cyber space and it is still uncertain how much one may compensate for this loss with more expressive or reflective writing.

I feel that the scope of this article is somewhat limited by the available research on internet education. The assumption from this article is that learning will continue to take place online through writing and threaded discussion to a large extent. I would like to consider how this may change, especially as we find ways of empowering students to express themselves online in a multitude of alternative, meaningful ways; not only through writing, but also through concept mapping, visual arts, video and simulations, student-led research, music and theater, etc. As a world languages teacher I am constantly considering effective teaching methods and also how students can demonstrate growth and understanding. I do not feel that I underestimate the value of writing and I will make it a key aspect of learning in my classroom, yet I hope to use diverse, well-researched instructional strategies, possibly including everything mentioned above. I assume that advancing technology will allow us to demonstrate skills and understanding in all of these ways online in the future.

Meyer, K. (2003). The Web’s Impact on Student Learning. T.H.E. Journal Online, 04/2003.