Using multimedia learning modules in a hybrid-online course in electricity and magnetism

• Main Author: Homeyra R. Sadaghiani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Physical Society 2011-03-01
• Series: Physical Review Special Topics. Physics Education Research
• Online Access: http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevSTPER.7.010102

We have been piloting web-based multimedia learning modules (MLMs), developed by the Physics Education Research Group at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (UIUC), as a “prelecture assignment” in several introductory physics courses at California State Polytechnic University at Pomona. In this study, we report the results from a controlled study utilizing modules on electricity and magnetism as a part of a blended hybrid-online course. We asked students in the experimental section to view the MLMs prior to attending the face-to-face class, and to make sure this would not result in additional instructional time, we reduced the weekly class time by one-third. We found that despite reduced class time, student-learning outcomes were not hindered; in fact, the implementation of the UIUC MLMs resulted in a positive effect on student performance on conceptual tests and classroom discussion questions.