Students taking traditional,
in-class science courses reported higher perceived learning gains than students
enrolled in online distance education science courses. Notably,
African-American students taking traditional science courses self-reported
greater affective and psychomotor learning gains than students taking online
science courses.
These are the key findings of a
new study co-authored by a Clemson University researcher and published in the
most recent issue of Black History Bulletin.
The purpose of the study, funded
by a grant from the National Science Foundation sub-awarded to Clemson through
Fayetteville State University, was to estimate the effects of online distance
education and explore African-American college students' perceived learning outcomes
in science courses.
"Given the dramatic shift in
the way that many postsecondary institutions now offer educational programs to
students, it is imperative that we examine the effects of online distance
education programs on student outcomes," said Lamont A. Flowers, lead
author on the study, distinguished professor of educational leadership and
executive director of the Charles H. Houston Center for the Study of the Black
Experience in Education at Clemson.
The expansion of online distance
education courses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics
disciplines challenges the higher education community to examine the efficacy
of online courses on students' educational outcomes at postsecondary
institutions, the researchers said.
"It is imperative that
researchers continue to conduct studies that employ rigorous procedures to
examine the cognitive effects and educational impact of online distance
education experiences institutional types, including historically black
colleges and universities," stated Flowers.
The study suggests that faculty
who teach in online learning environments may need to incorporate innovative
instructional designs that enhance student-faculty interaction in online
courses.
"The statistical results
indicate that faculty should develop strategies to ensure that online courses
provide similar learning gains as traditional face-to-face courses by utilizing
instructional approaches and educational technologies to strengthen online
distance education," stated Flowers. action in breast cancer.
He writes, the study by Shike et
al. "…illustrates the dangers of phytoestrogen consumption too soon,
around menopause, but the biology of estrogen in estrogen-deprived conditions
suggests that phytoestrogen could have benefit a decade after menopause."
He cautions that appropriate doses of soy and timing of consumption are
critical considerations.
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