E-Learning in Hong Kong: comparing learning outcomes in online multimedia and lecture versions of an introductory computing course

This paper evaluates the effectiveness of Web-based, highly interactive, and multimedia-rich e-learning materials by comparing students’ learning outcomes in the lecture and online versions of an introductory computing course. The course versions differed only in that face-to-face lectures were replaced with e-learning modules in the online course; the other course elements (laboratory sessions, use of computer-mediated communications, examinations) were the same. The e-learning trial took place at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, where the first author taught the lecture course to 105 students, and the online course to 180 and 129 students in the following semesters. The lecture and online students achieved comparable factual learning outcomes and the online students outperformed the lecture students in appliedconceptual learning. Findings suggest that the use of carefully designed interactive e-learning modules fosters higher-order learning outcomes. Introduction E-learning can be defined as using the Internet and Internet-related technologies in instructional development and distribution of educational resources. The Internet offers communication channels in the form of email, bulleting boards (discussion groups), and live chat. The World Wide Web provides a platform for displaying course materials as Web pages that may combine hypertext with downloadable files, graphics, animations, audio, and video. Web technologies enable human-computer interaction ranging from navigation to dynamically tailoring the displayed materials to fit student profile. E-learning tools and techniques have the potential to capture, and even enrich and individualize, the communications and interactions that normally take place in the classroom. In the wide variety of today’s online courses, instructors are finding ways to supplement or replace traditional teaching methods and materials with e-learning, 08_Mon 5/8/2002 1:07 pm Page 423