Analysis of Controlled Studies Shows Online Learning Enhances
Classroom Instruction June 26, 2009 Media Contact: David Thomas
| Program Contact: Bernadette Adams Yates Providing further
evidence of the tremendous opportunity to use technology to
improve teaching and learning, the U.S. Department of Education
today released an analysis of controlled studies comparing
online and face-to-face instruction. A systematic search of the
research literature from 1996 through July 2008 identified over
1,000 empirical studies of online learning. Of these, 46 met the
high bar for quality that was required for the studies to be
included in the analysis. The meta analysis showed that
“blended” instruction – combining elements of online and face-
to-face instruction – had a larger advantage relative to purely
face to face instruction or instruction conducted wholly online.
The analysis also showed that the instruction conducted wholly
on line was more effective in improving student achievement than
the purely face to face in