Barbour, M. K. (2013, February). The state of K-12 online learning research: Looking forward. An invited presentation to the Department of Instructional Performance and Technology at Brigham Young University, Provo, UT.

1. The State of K-12 Online
Learning Research: Looking
Forward
Michael K. Barbour
Assistant Professor
Wayne State University

2. 2

3. Student Learning
Cavanaugh et al. (2005) FLVS students performed better on a
non-mandatory assessment tool than
students from the traditional classroom
McLeod et al. (2005) FLVS students performed better on an
assessment of algebraic understanding
than their classroom counterparts
Barbour & Mulcahy (2008) little difference in the overall
performance of students based upon
delivery model
Barbour & Mulcahy (2009a) no difference in student performance
based upon method of course delivery

4. Customization

5. Analyzing Meta-Analyses
Teacher
Effects Zone of
Desired Effects
Developmental
Effects
Reverse
Effects

6. K-12 Distance Education Meta-Analysis
• Cavanaugh (2001) - 16 studies
– +0.147 in favor of K-12 distance education
• Cavanaugh et al. (2004) - 14 studies
– -0.028 for K-12 distance education
• Means et al. (2009) - 46 studies (5 on K-12)
– +0.24 favoring online over face-to-face
– +0.35 favoring blended over face-to-face*

7. Student Learning
Cavanaugh et FLVS students performed speculated that the virtual
al., 2005 better on a non- school students who did
mandatory assessment take the assessment may
tool than students from have been more
the traditional classroom academically motivated and
naturally higher achieving
students
McLeod et FLVS students performed results of the student
al., 2005 better on an assessment performance were due to
of algebraic understanding the high dropout rate in
than their classroom virtual school courses
counterparts

8. Student Learning
Kozma et al. (1998) vast majority of online students were planning
to attend a four-year college
Espinoza et al. (1999) students enrolled are mostly college bound
Haughey & Muirhead (1999) preferred characteristics include the highly
motivated, self-directed, self-disciplined,
independent learner who could read and write
well, and who also had a strong interest in or
ability with technology
Roblyer & Elbaum (2000) only students with a high need to control and
structure their own learning may choose
distance formats freely
Clark et al. (2002) online students were highly motivated, high
achieving, self-directed and/or who liked to
work independently
Mills (2003) typical online student was an A or B student

9. Literature
indicates K-12
online learning
students are...

10. Reality of most or
a large segment
K-12 online
learning
students?

11. Student Learning
• “Online student scores in math, reading, & writing have been lower than
scores for students statewide over the last 3 years.” (Colorado, 2006)
• “Online student scores on statewide achievement tests are consistently
14 to 26 percentage points below state averages for reading, writing
and math over the past four years.” (Colorado, 2011)
• “Virtual charter school pupils’ median scores on the mathematics
section of the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination were
almost always lower than statewide medians during the 2005-06 and
2006-07 school years.” (Wisconsin, 2010)
• “Compared with all students statewide, full-time online students had
significantly lower proficiency rates on the math.” (Minnesota, 2011)
• During both years [2008-09 & 2009-10], full-time online students
enrolled in grades 4-8 made about half as much progress in math, on
average, as other students in the same grade. (Minnesota, 2011)

12. Are students really learning?

13. Does online learning = high quality?

14. Hattie - Results of Interest
• Programmed instruction (d=0.24)
• Individualized instruction (d=0.23)
• Student control over learning (d=0.04)
• Second and third chance programs (d=0.50)
• Computer assisted instruction (d=0.37)
• Decreasing disruptive behavior (d=0.34)
• Class size (d=0.21)
• Charter schools (d=0.20)
• Web-based learning (d=0.18)
• Home-school programs (d=0.16)
• Teacher training (d=0.11)
• Teacher subject matter knowledge (d=0.09)
• Distance education (d=0.09)
14

15. What’s This Really About???

16. Better Research is Needed to
Define the Parameters of Effective
K-12 Online Learning

17. Your
Questions
and
Comments

18. Assistant Professor
Wayne State University, USA
mkbarbour@gmail.com
http://www.michaelbarbour.com
http://virtualschooling.wordpress.com