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An Analysis of Technology Enhancements in a Large Lecture Course

Contributing Organization(s): Center for Studies in Higher Education

Author(s)/Creator(s): Diane Harley; Michael Maher; Jonathan Henke; Shannon Lawrence

Summary/Abstract:
As the large lecture course continues to be a component of many college programs, the potential of online technology to enhance such courses remains a question for researchers. To what extent can such technology result in saving financial resources and teaching time? How do students attending lectures respond to online course components? Does such technology have a noticeable impact on student performance and remote learning? In a study conducted at the University of California (UC), Berkeley, authors Diane Harley, Jonathan Henke, and Michael W. Maher compared traditional and technology-enhanced versions, including video lectures streamed over the internet, of an undergraduate chemistry course over a two-year span. In their findings, the authors indicate significant potential savings of money and teaching time after the second year as well as positive student attitudes towards the technology. Although the technology-enhanced version of the course did not result in any noticeable differences in student performance, the authors conclude that the benefits of online technology for large lectures remain substantial, particularly in providing stressed students with flexibility in their use of time and space, including viewing lectures remotely while preparing for exams. With respect to fully realizing significant institutional cost-savings, however, more faculty members would need to share and reuse course materials than is currently the case.

Issue Areas: Education and Literacy

Copyright Info: Copyright 2003 by EDUCAUSE.

Audiences Served: Advocates; College/University Professors; General Public; Legislators/Legislative Aids; Policy Professionals

Type/Format: CaseStudy; Dataset; Ethnography; Evaluation; Policy Brief; Survey

Language code: English

Publication Date: 2003-09-01

Access this research:

Note: This work appeared in the EDUCAUSE Quarterly Number 3, (2003). The complete work is available via EDUCAUSE's web site.

Available at: http://cshe.berkeley.edu/publications/publications.php?id=35