Online teaching may help high school students’ attitudes towards and outcomes in science, new research out of the US suggests.
The finding, published in the International Journal of Science Education, found that students who learned with online science units significantly deepened their knowledge of science compared to students who were taught the same content in traditional classrooms.
The three-year trial involved 2,303 high school students and 71 teachers across 13 schools in two US states. Around half the teachers involved in the project found that online modules made a positive impact on students’ attitudes towards science education.
Associate Professor, Therese Keane, of Swinburne University, said the study has relevance in the Australian context, where online learning is increasingly being used to enhance outcomes
“Online learning is something that happens routinely at the university level – where students might take a class without actually stepping into a classroom,” Keane said.
“However, most Australian schools use a blended approach where there is a mix of face-to-face instruction and the use of a learning management system to house videos, and online activities.”
Keane pointed out that much of what is done in Australian classrooms, particularly in the secondary school environment, is this blended approach where online resources and in some cases electronic textbooks are used to support the classroom teacher.
Macquarie University’s Associate Professor, Matt Bower, said well-designed online learning can improve overall outcomes for students.
“Digital technologies enable new forms of support to be embedded in the curriculum, for instance the text-to-speech, pop-up definitions, interactive diagrams, digital note-taking, captioned videos, digital games, and online collaboration,” Bower said.
Bower added that he sees the chance for deeper investigation of engagement.
“As well as developing students’ scientific knowledge, we need to be developing students' propensity and capacity to undertake authentic STEM-based inquiry,” Bower said.
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