Comparative Assessment of the Effectiveness of Online Vs Paper Based

Although online learning is shifting the teaching paradigm at tertiary institutions, there are limited studies that assess the effectiveness of online courses, particularly in the occupational and environmental health field and among mature aged students. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of online i Blackboard! units as compared to traditional i paper basedi units taught as part of the Professional Masters in Occupational and Environmental Health at the Edith Cowan University. Unit commencement and completion questionnaires were designed and distributed over two academic semesters to evaluate studentsi perceptions of the effectiveness of the modes of delivery. To obtain more detailed information, a focus group meeting was conducted. In addition lecturers were interviewed. It was found that online students and those studying both online and paper based units had significantly more lecturer- student and peer interactions than those studying solely paper based units. Furthermore it was established that in both teaching modes, students and some lecturers had challenges and that neither teaching method was regarded as being significantly better than the other. The level of student and lecturers satisfaction with online learning was high and with appropriate strategies, there is the potential for online learning to be more effective.