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Abstract

Internet technology has been widely applied across several industries, including education. In addition to traditional classroom learning, web-based learning is another way to deliver a lesson to students, eliminating physical and geographical boundaries. Since web-based learning communicates through the Internet, it is generally a one-way transaction and instructors do not get the real-time interaction from students as in a classroom. This limitation can be eliminated through collaborative software, Adobe Connect Professional.

Unlike some other distant learning methods, Adobe Connect has some functions that improve communication between instructor and students during a lecture. First, it is equipped with audio and video capabilities. Students can see and hear an instructor as in a classroom. Another benefit is feedback from students. An instructor can ask a question and get responses back from students instantaneously. He/she can poll multiple-choice questions and receive answers from students real-time. If students have spontaneous reactions to an instructor’s comment, the students are able to clarify, discuss or even debate the subject matter by typing their questions in a chat window. Therefore, students will participate more in a lesson than other distant learning methods.

In traditional classrooms, an instructor can present PowerPoint and other programs on a projector. Using Adobe Connect Professional, it allows an instructor to share his/her program window or computer screen so students will see the same screen as their instructor.

A previous paper studied the difference in learning effectiveness between Adobe Connect and traditional classrooms. Results were analyzed by two post-tests and a survey. However, the web-based method used was pre-recorded lecture. The major disadvantage of that method was that students could not communicate back to an instructor. In this study, the real-time method was performed to improve the communication. Pre-test, post-tests and surveys were conducted to evaluate if there was a significant difference between distant learning through Adobe Connect Professional and traditional classroom.

Introduction

The student’s ability to learn was measured using three dimensions: (1) ability to retain information, (2) ability to comprehend information, and (3) ability to meaningfully apply the knowledge. In a previous study, we were able to establish that there was no statistical difference in the learning progress between the group of students who attended a Material Requirement Planning (MRP) class virtually and the group of students who attended the same topic class in a traditional classroom.

As a follow up to a similar study conducted in the previous year[4], this paper hypothesized that there is no difference in the effectiveness of learning between a class in a traditional classroom setting and a virtual classroom setting and provide recommendations for enhancing effective teaching in a real-time distant learning environment. These results and recommendations will benefit all faculty in their future planning when designing a distant learning course.

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Khiewnavawongsa, S., & Leong, R., & Schmidt, E. (2007, June), Real Time Learning In A Distance Course Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--2467