Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies

A systematic search of the research literature from 1996 through July 2008 identified more than a thousand empirical studies of online learning. Analysts screened these studies to find those that (a) contrasted an online to a face-to-face condition, (b) measured student learning outcomes, (c) used a rigorous research design, and (d) provided adequate information to calculate an effect size. As a result of this screening, 51 independent effects were identified that could be subjected to meta-analysis. The meta-analysis found that, on average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction. The difference between student outcomes for online and face-to-face classes—measured as the difference between treatment and control means, divided by the pooled standard deviation—was larger in those studies contrasting conditions that blended elements of online and face-to-face instruction with conditions taught entirely face-to-face. Analysts noted that these blended conditions often included additional learning time and instructional elements not received by students in control conditions. This finding suggests that the positive effects associated with blended learning should not be attributed to the media, per se. An unexpected finding was the small number of rigorous published studies contrasting online and face-to-face learning conditions for K–12 students. In light of this small corpus, caution is required in generalizing to the K–12 population because the results are derived for the most part from studies in other settings (e.g., medical training, higher education)

Rethinking Classroom Ventilation in post pandemic Situation

This paper aims to contribute in outlining the latest findings and formulating a simple practice in providing sufficient air circulation for classroom activities in preparation for the post-pandemic era. During this pandemic, remote learning over the internet has been a viable solution everywhere, including adopted by education institution to keep serving the learning process. However, as more and more people involved and the time elapses, several disadvantages of e-learning are realized. In addition, education institution should be prepared for the upcoming offline learning activity in post-pandemic era. This paper aims to refine the minimum airflow requirement for the classroom, finetuned based on student activity, ceiling height. Student activity is being the focus rather than teacher because student represents the majority of classroom occupant. In addition, a discussion on how it can be achieved using simpler ventilation system is presented. ON/OFF scheme for the usage of the active ventilation is also elaborated.Keyword: classroom, post-pandemic era, ventilation system, air circulation