Web-based learning: effects on learning process and outcome

Educators have witnessed lately a proliferation of Web-based learning applications. These Web-learning environments have made learning much more convenient by stretching the spatial and temporal barriers. Their effectiveness, however, remains to be examined. In this research, the authors study the relative effectiveness of two different types of Web-learning environments: distributed passive learning (DPL) versus distributed interactive learning (DIL) environments. In the DPL environment, the Web is only used to deliver linear learning material, such as Word files and PowerPoint slides. In the DIL environment, however, the learning material is in hypertext format, providing the learner with more exploration and interactivity capabilities. The results of an empirical study show that the DIL environment is superior to the DPL environment in terms of both the learning process and the learning outcome.