Communication and Collaboration, Satisfaction, Equity, and Autonomy in Blended Learning Environments: A Case from Turkey

Research studies conducted in the area of e-learning and blended learning lead to the emergence of new concepts, which directly influence quality. Among these concepts, the ones taken into consideration for this research study are as follows: communication and collaboration, satisfaction, equity, and autonomy. The perceptions of students taking blended ICT courses in a private university in Turkey were gathered through an Online Learning Environment Survey (OLES). Additionally, the suggestions of instructors for improving the quality of blended learning were obtained through a focus group interview. The findings of this study show that the perceived communication, collaboration, and satisfaction levels of students vary according to their levels of computer and Internet literacy. Also, there are differences in the students’ satisfaction levels based on gender. The majority of students revealed that they considered themselves to be autonomous and equal in the blended learning environment. The findings of this research study, together with our review of recent literature, lead us to conclude that there are four major areas (containing several factors) that must be considered when developing a high-quality blended learning environment: technology, instructors, students, and pedagogy. Based on the findings, some practical suggestions for transforming traditional courses into blended ones are also offered at the end of the research study. Finally, suggestions for the future are provided.

[1]  Curtis J. Bonk,et al.  The Handbook of Blended Learning: Global Perspectives, Local Designs , 2005 .

[2]  Viktorija Sulcic,et al.  Can Online Tutors Improve the Quality of E-Learning? , 2007 .

[3]  Jeff Seaman,et al.  Sizing the opportunity: the quality and extent of online education in the united states , 2003 .

[4]  Diane J. Hanson,et al.  E-Learning: Strategies for Delivering Knowledge in the Digital Age , 2003, J. Educ. Technol. Soc..

[5]  D. Randy Garrison,et al.  Blended Learning in Higher Education: Framework, Priciples and Guidlines , 2007 .

[6]  ChanMin Kim,et al.  Using email to enable e3 (effective, efficient, and engaging) learning , 2008 .

[7]  Ann Barron,et al.  Designing Web-based Training , 1998, Br. J. Educ. Technol..

[8]  Rena M. Palloff,et al.  Lessons from the Cyberspace Classroom: The Realities of Online Teaching , 2001 .

[9]  Donatella Persico,et al.  Online or face-to-face? Experimenting with different techniques in teacher training , 2007, J. Comput. Assist. Learn..

[10]  Charles R. Graham,et al.  Blended Learning Environments: Definitions and Directions. , 2003 .

[11]  Lydia Kyei-Blankson,et al.  Nontraditional Students’ Perception of a Blended Course: Integrating Synchronous Online Discussion and Face-to-Face Instruction , 2008 .

[12]  Jan Welker,et al.  Blended Learning: Understanding the Middle Ground between Traditional Classroom and Fully Online Instruction , 2005 .

[13]  Muhammad K. Betz.  Distance Education : A Systems View , 2005 .

[14]  Gail Flanagan,et al.  Teaching and Learning at a Distance - Foundations of Distance Education: Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., and Zvacek, S. (2000). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 241 pages, ISBN: 0-13769258-7 , 2000, Internet and Higher Education.

[15]  Thomas A. Brush,et al.  Student perceptions of collaborative learning, social presence and satisfaction in a blended learning environment: Relationships and critical factors , 2008, Comput. Educ..

[16]  Norman M. Goble.  The changing role of the teacher , 1977 .

[17]  C. Mouzakis.  Teachers’ Perceptions of the Effectiveness of a Blended Learning Approach for ICT Teacher Training , 2008 .

[18]  N. Vaughan.  Perspectives on Blended Learning in Higher Education , 2007 .

[19]  Lorraine Carter.  Handbook of Online Learning , 2009 .

[20]  Littlejohn,et al.  preparing for blended e-learning , 2007 .

[21]  Jill Winifred Fresen,et al.  A Taxonomy of Factors to Promote Quality Web-Supported Learning. , 2005 .

[22]  Terry Anderson,et al.  The Theory and Practice of Online Learning , 2009 .

[23]  Ömer Delialioglu,et al.  Design and development of a technology enhanced hybrid instruction based on MOLTA model: Its effectiveness in comparison to traditional instruction , 2008, Comput. Educ..

[24]  Terry Anderson,et al.  E-Learning in the 21st Century: A Community of Inquiry Framework for Research and Practice , 2016 .

[25]  William K. Horton,et al.  ELearning Tools and Technologies , 2003 .

[26]  Gudela Grote,et al.  Distributed collaboration activities in a blended learning scenario and the effects on learning performance , 2007, J. Comput. Assist. Learn..