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CHAPTERS: Chapter 1-5
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COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF VIRTUAL AND TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM TEACHING METHODS IN ACHIEVING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS IN MAINLAND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF LAGOS STATE
Abstract
This research aims at investigating comparative study of the effect of virtual and traditional classroom teaching methods in achieving academic performance of studentss, Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos State. A pilot case study research strategy was used. Pilot case studies are effective research strategies for investigating educational issues in real life situations. They are used to refine research problems, variables, and also to refine the case study design before doing it in a larger-scale investigation. The study sample comprised (120) one hundred and twenty students who were selected purposefully and distributed into experimental and control groups. The experimental group studied Economics through a computerized program melded with the traditional method, whereas the control group was taught solely by the latter. The Independent sample t-test revealed statistically significant differences in achievement between the two groups, indicating that the experimental group performed better than the control group. Although, significant differences were not found between the male and female taught with virtual learning. Recommendations were made that there should be compulsory training and re-training for teachers and students on the use of blended learning tools among other recommendations.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- Background to the study
Virtual learning also known as online learning or distance learning has been transforming the face of the education system for quite some time. Online learning is defined as learning that takes place partially or entirely over the Internet (Means, 2010). Online learning provides flexibility in time and space as well as increased communication and interaction capabilities, which is attractive to secondary educational agencies (Anderson, 2004). As referenced above many factors are contributing to the growth and expansion of the virtual instructional model in public schools; however, the integration of technology has led to considerable amount of the development (Barbour, 2009). Technology advances have had a direct impact on the growth of online learning (Picciano & Seaman, 2009). Christensen, Horn, and Johnson (2008) present a compelling rationale for changing education in a way that makes far greater use of online technology to provide more
student-centered and individualized instruction. Development of technology infrastructure and access in secondary educational institutions has expanded the use of online learning to secondary schools. Research by Means, Bakia, and Murphy (2014) and Wicks (2010) indicate distance education has been used for some time in postsecondary institutions; however, in secondary education, online learning is in the early stages of development and practice in secondary educational environments. Growth of online learning in public schools continues to increase (Picciano & Seaman, 2009; Watson, et al., 2012). An estimated 1,816,400 enrollments in distance-education courses in secondary school districts occurred in 2009-2010 (Means et al., 2010). Christensen and Horn (2008) predict that by 2019 half of all U.S. high-school enrollments will be online. Although current usage and expansion of virtual learning in secondary schools is occurring, little research has been conducted in the secondary area to support the effectiveness of the online
instructional model for secondary school population. Patrick and Powell (2009) stated, “there is not a single, large-scale, national study comparing students taking online courses with traditional students, using control groups in the instructional design.” (p. 3). However, research conducted by Means, Toyama, Murphy, Bakia, & Jones, (2010) in the meta-synthesis report conducted for the U.S. Department of Education and a study by Freidhoff, DeBruler and Kennedy (2014), Michigan’s K12 Virtual Learning Effectiveness Report, does provide information that begins to examine the effectiveness of the virtual instructional model. However, controlled group research has not been conducted.
According to Patrick and Powell (2009), larger scale studies are needed. They indicate that researchers should collect existing data sets from standardized state tests and compare those with virtual school performance data. Conversely, Means, Bakia, and Murphy (2014) stated, “Overly simplistic generalizations about online learning ‘working’ or ‘not working’ will be avoided and instead look for more detailed evidences about the circumstances under which different approaches to online learning more and less likely to fulfill their intended outcomes” (p.2). As a result, policy makers, administrators, principals, parents, and communities need guidance in understanding if online learning provides equity of learning when compared to the traditional classroom instructional model. Miron, Horvitz and Gulosino (2013) explained, “Despite a dearth of research evidence useful in shaping policy, many states have adopted. legislation permitting full-time virtual schools or removing the caps that once limited their growth (p.1). Online education has become more accepted; however, negative perceptions and conflicting opinions continue to exist (e.g., Cuban, 2013; Thomas, 2008; Ulker & Ozturk, 2011). Limited research has been conducted on quality outcomes for public school secondary students (Bakia et al., 2012; Watson, Murin, Vashaw, Gemin, & Rapp, 2011). Educators are aware that businesses and communities expect unceasing efforts to improve students’ academic performance through better school organization, governance, curriculum, and instruction, including the adoption of technology that leads to online learning (Cuban, 2013).
The world of education is seeing a change and the credit goes to technologies which have enough potential to bring change. These changes are not only facilitating school for collaboration but have also made teaching and learning process learners’ centered. It not only surrounds our lives but is also the foundation of our society. We live in a global village with an easy access to vast array of online information’s and experiences. Our generation is growing in a world where information and opportunity is just a screen touch away. Our youth is full of information and quest for new knowledge. Here the need is to just organize their information and synthesis it so that it can be communicated through proper path. In this complex world rapid expansion of knowledge and scientific development has become a necessity of each. All these elements have become a sign of development. Today’s era is full of technology and digital world thus creating new challenges for teachers. As teachers are the most effective interface between the students and knowledge, hence they need to be well updated and skillful. With the advancement of technology, it has become possible to modify the way of learning and presenting information to them. Here the question Arise that whether the time has come to introduce technology in our teaching method? The answer is yes, it’s a high time to bring change in our conventional teaching method. Our young generation is full of new information and quest for new knowledge. Students have become tech savvy. They collect information through internet and other means. The need is to synchronize all the information and present them in proper manner. Thus here the role of teacher changes from instructor to facilitator. Teacher provides the useful information of internet and book for teaching. Thus the combination of online material and text material proves to be beneficial for student.
Information and communication technologies, which offer a mix of face to face interactive facilities that, allow individuals to learn anywhere, anytime. Moreover, they offer opportunities to distribute and disseminate learning sources and research developments more effectively. In fact, over the next 10 years, world over, e- learning and use of ICT based technologies in education are projected to grow fifteen-fold, accounting for 30% of all educational provision. Traditional teaching is basically concerned with teacher centered teaching method. In most of the traditional learning methodenvironment, students learn from the instructor led approach. Traditional learning methodis generally associated with desk in rows and teacher in front. This room consists of many students and one teacher. The mode of teaching in this is generalized and does not focus on individual performance. As there is an individual difference, some students prefer an individualized or less structured setting. In other words, we can say these students need self-paced learning material. Thus a need of technology is felt in Nigeria classrooms also. Newer method of teaching and learning process comprises use of technology and innovative thinking. This modern method known as blended learning or hybrid learning. Blended learning is a mixture of traditional and online learning. It is the innovative method used in teaching and learning process to enhance the understanding level in students. Blended learning supports all the benefits of e-learning including cost reductions, time efficiency and location convenience for the learner as well as the essential one-on-one personal understanding and motivation that face to face instructions presents. (Brown, 2003; Yonge, 2014). This method of learning is student centered. Thus blended learning or hybrid learning strategy describe a learning environment that either combines teaching methods, delivery methods, media format or mixture of all these. It also refers to the integrated learning activities such as online and face to face learning. On the above discussion we can say that blended learning is a type of learning that mixes various event-based activities, including face-to-face classrooms, live e-learning and self-paced instruction (Valiathan, 2006). In other words, blended learning is mixture of e-learning and traditional learning. Blended learning proves to be an innovative educational solution through an effective mix of traditional method of learning and online learning. In a study by Dean and associates, research showed that providing several online options in addition to traditional classroom training actually increased what students learned. Blended learning will provide immense convenience for the learner to achieve its target by combining the face to face interaction in traditional learning methodand time, place and material richness provided by Web-based learning. Yılmaz & Orhan (2010). state that the best way to solve the lack of interaction problem faced in technology-based learning is to blend traditional learning methodand online learning. Blended learning can be a good method to connect the learner with vast knowledge library of this global world. This approach has the facilities to meet the necessities of present age of globalization. It is a technological innovation in the field of education that make possible to keep knowledge and information of whole world in single e-world.
The current era is characterized by rapid changes resulting from scientific and technological advances, including information technology. Keeping up with these changes is necessary in the education system to cope with problems that may arise from them, such as the large volume of information and increase in the number of learners, coupled with teacher shortages. These changes in science and technology ushered in many new teaching and learning methods, such as e-learning
and blended learning (BL) particularly in research and self-development areas, and a revolution in information technology, which has virtually turned the world into a global village. The former led to a greater need for learners to engage in multivendor environments, and the latter, for people to
share experiences with others. e-Learning is defined as learning that is provided electronically through the internet, an internal network (intranet, or multimedia, such as CDs or DVDs). It is considered among the most modern learning methods and has been associated with many advantages. Among these advantages are its ability to resolve the problem of knowledge explosion and growing demand for education; address the problem of overcrowded lecture halls, if used as a means for distance learning; and provide opportunities for acceptance of diversity in education. For example, e-learning allows workers to be trained, educated, and rehabilitated without leaving their businesses while also teaching their housewives, thus contributing to increasing the literacy rate. e-Learning enables job interviews to be conducted and live debates to be available online and provides quickly updated information, simulation and animation programs, interactive exercises, and practical applications, which are consistent with a learner’s needs and follow his/her pace while reducing training costs (accommodation, travel, and books). Moreover, it improves the retention of and access to information in a timely manner and unifies content and information for all users.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Most of the school teachers follow traditional methods i.e.; most commonly lecture method or sometimes lecture and discussion method in economics classes. These present learners are adult future citizen of the nation and the use of traditional method teaching has contributed to the low academic performance of the students last session. If they are well equipped with this approach of learning they can imply it in life-long learning process which is a better way of knowledge construction in the Era of Globalization. Education is the way to progress. It develops our mind and convert inquisitive mind into intellectual one. It’s a high time to provide right content in the right format to the right people at right time. So the need of hour is of modified learning environment which incorporates the benefits of traditional as well as modern learning. Many review literature shows that there have been many studies of online learning environment and their relationship to students’ performance (Bawaneh, 2011; Shamsi S. Bawaneh, 2011 Becker; Ahmad et al. 2006, Dowling et al., 2003; Kubey et al., 2001). As, many researches (Ahmad et al. 2006, Viera Boumová 2008, Mitchell and Frorer 2010). Proved that blended learning have positive effect on academic achievement of students. Researchers observed that many schools still follow traditional teaching or lecture-cum-discussion method for teaching senior secondary students. The most significant challenge faced by people developing and delivering blended learning is identifying the instructional strategies that match well with the conditions that are present in these two quite different environments most especially as the world just recovered from COVID-19 lockdown.
- Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to examine comparative study of the effect of virtual and traditional classroom teaching methods in achieving academic performance of students in Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos State. The specific objectives of the study are to:
- To investigate the significance difference in performance score in economics of senior secondary students taught through virtual learning and senior secondary students taught through traditional learning method method.
- To determine whether there will be any difference between the mean performance scores of male and female Economics students taught with virtual learning and traditional learning method.
1.4 Research Questions
- Is there any significant difference between the performance score in economics of senior secondary students taught through virtual learning and senior secondary students taught through traditional learning method?
- Is there any significant difference between the mean performance scores of male and female Economics students taught with virtual learning and traditional learning method?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
- There is no significant difference between the performance score in economics of senior secondary students taught through virtual learning and senior secondary students taught through traditional learning method method.
- There will be no significant difference between the mean performance scores of male and female Economics students taught with virtual learning and traditional learning method.
1.6 Significance of the Study
By comparing the two learning methods presented by this research, there will be an expansion on the current understanding of virtual learning in terms of its uses, accessibility, and application. This research provides a clear presentation on these learning methods on virtual learning methods and on-site methods giving school administrators and teachers more insights on which methods that is more appropriate and useful for learning.
Specifically, this research will benefit government, school administrators, teachers and students in decision making.
Furthermore, the government will further realize promoting the use of virtual learning in all secondary schools as a preventive measure against future lockdown caused by the corona virus in the past year. School Administrators and teachers may also consider being expose to ICT tools for the effectiveness of virtual learning in the classroom.
1.7 Scope and Limitation of the Study
This study focuses majorly on examining comparative study of the effect of virtual and traditional classroom teaching methods in achieving academic performance of students in Mainland Local Government Area of Lagos State. The scope of this study therefore includes the subject of virtual learning and traditional learning method in relation to students’ academic performance in senior secondary school. It also covers:
- The extent to which different expected strategies are adopted in virtual learning;
- The extent to which students’ have access and make use of ICT tools in the classroom and how it has affect them academically.
1.8 Operational Definition of Terms
The following terms are defined as used in the context of this study:
Virtual Learning: As use in this study, virtual learning is a learning experience that is enhanced through utilizing computers and/or the internet both outside and inside the facilities of the educational organization.
Traditional learning method: As use in this study, onsite learning is the traditional learning method; students would attend a college, university, or school session with other students. A teacher is also present, and the means of instruction are by word of mouth.
Academic Performance: As it is used in this study, it is the extent to which a student, teacher or institution has attained their short or long term educational goals. Completion of educational benchmarks such as secondary school diplomas and bachelor’s degrees represent academic achievement.
Blended Learning: As it is used in the study, blended learning is an approach to education that combines online educational materials and opportunities for interaction online with traditional place based classroom methods.
Economics: As it is used in the study, economics is a social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.