Projects in Progress

Ithaka S+R is conducting a multi-year research study to examine whether use of sophisticated, interactive modes of online learning can improve educational effectiveness and reduce costs in higher education. Our focus is on large, introductory courses, especially gateway courses in disciplines that are well-suited for online learning. 

Background 

It is well known that the US higher education system, and especially the large public universities that are so important to it, is currently under tremendous pressure. Hardly a day passes without news about the problems posed by the combination of funding cutbacks for public universities, the need to raise completion rates, and the desirability of making better use of digital technologies.  

Can sophisticated, interactive online courses be used to maintain or improve learning outcomes (mastery of course content, completion rates, time spent on courses, retention of the material learned in that course) while simultaneously reducing costs? Can they help reduce disparities in outcomes for minorities and low-income families? Can they minimize scheduling bottlenecks for gateway courses and address the overall need to accommodate more students? While there is a great deal of existing research on “online learning,” very few credible large-scale studies, if any, have tackled these questions in the context of public higher education. In mid-2010, Ithaka S+R launched this study to consider these questions.

Methodology 

The initial study is a large-scale comparison of Carnegie Mellon University’s Open Learning Initiative (OLI) introductory statistics course with traditional teaching methods that rely on lectures and standard textbooks. Students who agree to participate in the study are randomly assigned to either an online section or a traditional section of the course. Researchers are collecting data on learning outcomes, retention rates, and attitudes toward online instruction. The study is being conducted at eight campuses of three public university systems, including two large community colleges. 

The study is expected to be completed by mid-2012.

Funding Support 

• The Carnegie Corporation of New York

• The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

• The Stavros Niarchos Foundation

• The Spencer Foundation

• ITHAKA