This assignment started off by requiring us to read 4 articles about meta-analysis, random assignment and effect size. Following this, we read the executive summary of a US Department of Education report called “Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning: A Meta-Analysis and Review of Online Learning Studies”. The article stated 12 main findings, and we had to choose one, and write on the discussion board about it and what we think the finding means.
From the articles on meta-analysis, I learned that it is a form of statistical analysis that combines the results from many different studies. Additionally, I learned that this form of analysis increases power, you can generalize to larger populations, and publication bias can be investigated. These are a few of the many benefits that come with meta-analysis
The article on random assignment explained it as using a chance procedure to randomly place human or animal participants into different experimental groups. This method should always be used, as it ensures that results are not spurious or deceptive.
The article on effect size defines it as the quantification of the difference between 2 groups. It is easy to calculate, takes a more scientific approach, and places emphasis on the important part of an intervention. However, unfortunately, effect sizes are typically only used for meta-analysis.
The US Department of Educations report’s main takeaway was that on average, students in online learning conditions performed better than those in face-to-face conditions. I won’t dive through all of the other key findings, but I will address the one from my discussion board post. This finding was that “Frequent online quizzes do not appear to influence the amount that students learn in online classes. The research does not support the use of a commonly recommended online learning practice – the practice of providing online quizzes. Frequent online quizzes do not seem to be more effective than assigning homework”.
I wrote about how this means that although online quizzes are frequently used in college courses, they aren’t a good way for kids to learn. Students can find answers online or in a textbook to answer questions, and they are much more focused on their grade than they are on mastering the material. I think this also means that other forms of assignments, such as frequent, smaller point assignments like in this class, can be more effective for students to learn the material.
Reflecting on this assignment, reading the articles served as a good review for me. In college, I have taken both statistics as well as research methods, so I had already learned about meta-analysis, random assignment, and effect size. However, reading through information about them again allowed me to strengthen my knowledge of each term. Especially when getting a psychology degree, it is important to have a firm foundation of knowledge in the topics surrounding research.
Additionally, I did learn some new things from the US Department of Education report. For example, even the main finding, about better learning outcomes in online conditions, somewhat surprised me. We are all socialized to believe in the method of in-person learning, but this report showed me that online learning is just as good, if not better.
Writing about just one of the findings was a great idea because it really allowed me to think more deeply about what that finding meant. Rather than other courses that may just have you list all of the findings, this required more conscious thought, rather than the busy work of typing out a list of information. This method will allow me to remember the finding I wrote about in the future, whereas if it was assigned differently I probably wouldn’t have retained it.
Reading research articles and about research allows me to become more confident in my knowledge of the topic. I can apply this when reading articles in the future, and explain the concepts to my friends who aren’t well versed on the topics. This assignment helped me retain valuable information that I can use moving forward!
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