Face-to-face, e-learning, mobile learning, web-based classes. Which is best? Is there a definitive answer?
One of my favourite bits of research into learning goes back to 1947. It was conducted by Hall and Cushing for the US Army.
There was a feeling at the time that film was the 'big new thing' and that this would surely teach people better than classroom instruction. So the army set up some research to find out.
They set up a very thorough comparative study using film for one group of students and classroom instruction for another and tested both groups at the end. The results? No difference in learning between the two groups!
Numerous studies since have shown that it's really not about one medium being better than another it's typically all about three things: modes, methods and instructional design. Get these right and the learning happens, regardless of the delivery medium.
Here's the briefest of explanations of each of those three elements:
Modes
Whatever your medium, you will use some combination of text, audio and visuals - either still or animated. These are your communication modes. There's been plenty of research done on how best to use each of these modes to promote learning.
Methods
These are the examples and practice activities that lead to learning. If well-crafted and thought through, they will support the mental processing learners need to do to help embed new information and skills effectively.
Instructional design
This really is the blueprint for your learning that captures the sequence and type of content and activities that will make up the finished course or module.
So on the path to building expertise through effective learning, it's not so much the medium, but the best mix of modes, methods and design that will help you achieve your goals and outcomes.
Getting started with designing courses or feel like you need to strengthen your underpinning knowledge about all this? Our free Essential Step-by-Step Guide to Instructional Design Success is a great starting point.
