The impact of instructional elements in computer-based instruction, Martin. Klein and Sullivan (British Journal of Educational Technology). I cannot access the full article but the summary given here by Donald Clark of a study done on the essential elements of an e-learning programme seem to me to be of the utmost importance. He reports:
"They removed:
1. Objectives
2. Information
3. Examples
4. Review
5. Practice
Removing any of the first four made little significant difference to the learning outcome and attitudes of the tested students. Removing ‘practice’, however, had a significant lowing effect on learning and attitudes. "
Keywords: e-learning, practice
Comments
That seems a very interesting study. I tried to find the article in the university e-library, but I wasn't able to.
But I guess a good point is raised there. I am the kind of person that learners better (if theory) if I apply it. Hands-on; applying and making sense of what you learn is always a more efficient approach, I guess. Learning by doing. Getting practical.
That's maybe why I was never good at chemistry in school. Too much theory, too many atoms and molecules up in the air…nothing touchable that I could connect to my little knowledge. It a shame that in my time teachers only told us things, and never took us to the lab or engage us in some kind of experiments; in practice!
Thanks for sharing!