E-Learning Instructional Approach with Learning Objects

This paper presents a novel e-learning instructional model and its application to teaching a Java language programming course for information technology specialists working for the Spanish public administration. This is a general-purpose instructional model, based on the concept of learning objective and composed of learning objects. Additionally, a blended approach to the learning process in web-based distance education is also presented. This approach combines self-paced learning, live e-learning and face-to-face classrooms. An evaluation has been conducted to compare the grades of students at the end of the course. The students were divided into three groups by instructional conditions: traditional face-to-face classroom, distance learning contents virtualization where videoconferencing substituted face-to-face classroom teaching, and distance learning applying the model proposed in this paper. The results indicate that the grades attained by students that took the distance learning course using the proposed instructional model are similar to the scores attained by students taught according to the traditional classroom method. Both these student groups outperformed students who took the distance learning version of the course without the instructional model. Key-Words: distance learning, instructional model, blended learning process, learning objective, learning object, constructivism, objectivism