The Impact of Internet Learning Technology: Experimental Methods of Determination

Abstract

Instructional effectiveness, as the term implies, requires determination of an effect, and an effect, by definition, has a cause. Only one group of research methods can establish cause—experimental methods. In this regard, fundamental evaluative research involves ascertaining cause and establishing the degree to which such cause can be generalized across instructional situations. This chapter promotes a quantitative style of research methods directed toward apprehending the effective features of instructional applications of Internet technology. The characteristics of experimental research designs that appear particularly useful in systematic evaluation of Internet learning technologies include the true experiment, the quasi-experiment, and the small-n experiment. Contemporary learning technology applications are described and discussed for each of these experimental methods. Issues and challenges associated with experimental determination of the impact of instructional technology on human learning are examined and researchers’ solutions are presented.