Face-to-Face Classroom Plus Online Homework Best for Students
The U.S. Department of Education analyzed 99 studies of online learning and concluded that students learn best when their courses combine traditional face-to-face classes with online work. Students benefit most from activities that allow them to control the speed at which they learn and encourage reflection.This philosophy of combining classwork with online learning is what drives online software from Pearson. Programs like MyNorthStarLab, Criterion, Focus on Grammar Interactive, Azar Interactive, and Longman English Interactive allow students to become more reflective learners and make better use of their time.
Combining Face-to-Face Class with Online Homework
The Department of Education looked at studies published no earlier than 1996. They found that advances in available technology have resulted in online software that truly enhances the work done in face-to-face classrooms. The results of these classes are stronger than pure online distance learning and of face-to-face classes that use pen-and-paper homework.
The Key is Keeping Learners Engaged
The Department’s study also found that students do not benefit
from online software just because it’s online. Rather, students
need exercises that are designed to be done independently (that is,
different from what’s in their textbooks). They also need
exercises that allow them to control the speed at which they interact
with media. Finally, activities that encourage learners to think about
the material at hand have the best results.
Pearson has always adopted this approach to online learning, and the study from the Department of Education supports our work. We exemplify our approach through:
- exercises in which students control their interaction with audio, video, and text;
- self-grading activities that don’t tell students the answers the first time around;
- automatic feedback on writing that helps students become better self-editors.
To learn more about our online software, contact your Pearson ELL specialist. You can also sign up for 30-day trials of the programs from their websites:
