Abstract
This study aimed to compare the online and face-to-face teaching of a required algebra-based physics course for non-physics majors in large-enrollment course sections. The study design is quasi-experimental; the students self-selected to enroll in either the fully online and asynchronous course or the face-to-face course. In this study, we look at pre- and post-surveys, test grades, and course grades. A total of 116 students from both the face-to-face version (n = 76) and the online version (n = 40) of the course participated in this study. Both courses were taught by the same instructor and covered the same topics using identical homework, quizzes, and tests to ensure comparison fidelity. Findings show that general physics students do equally well in both face-to-face and online versions of the course. However, online students show a higher rate of satisfaction of the course.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allen, I. E., & Seaman, J. (2013). Changing course: Ten years of tracking online education in the United States. Sloan Consortium. PO Box 1238, Newburyport, MA 01950.
Blau, G., & Drennan, R. (2017). Exploring difference in business undergraduate perceptions by preferred classroom delivery mode. Online Learning, 21(3), 222–234.
Bloom, B. S. (1956). Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, Handbook I: The Cognitive Domain. New York: David McKay Co Inc.
Brown, J. C., & Park, H. S. (2016). Longitudinal student research competency: Comparing online and traditional face-to-face learning platforms. Advances in Social Work, 17(1), 44–58.
Calafiore, P., & Damianov, D. S. (2011). The effect of time spent online on student achievement in online economics and finance courses. The Journal of Economic Education, 42(3), 209-223.
Cao, Y., & Sakchutchawan, S. (2011). Online vs. traditional MBA: an empirical study of students’ characteristics, course satisfaction, and overall success . The Journal of Human Resources and Adult Learning, 7(2), 1–12.
Cavanaugh, J. K., & Jacquemin, S. J. (2015). A large sample comparison of grade based student learning outcomes in online vs. face-to-face courses. Online Learning, 19(2), n2.
Comer, D. R., Lengaghan, J. A., & Sengupta, K. (2015). Factors that affect students’ capacity to fulfill the role of online learner. Journal of Education for Business, 90(3), 145–155.
Fendler, R. J., Ruff, C., & Shrikhande, M. (2016). Evaluating characteristics of top and bottom performance: Online versus in-class. American Journal of Distance Education, 30(2), 109–120.
Helms, J. L. (2014). Comparing student performance in online and face-to-face delivery modalities. Journal of asynchronous learning networks, 18(1), n1.
Hoy, A. W. (2007). Educational psychology (10th ed.). Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon. 530–531, 545.
Jackson, J. J., Wood, D., Bogg, T., Walton, K. E., Harms, P. D., Roberts, B. W., et al. (2010). What do conscientious people do? Development and validation of the Behavioral Indicators of Conscientiousness (BIC). Journal of research in personality, 44(4), 501–511.
Johnson, D., & Palmer, C. C. (2015). Comparing student assessments and perceptions of online and face-to-face versions of an introductory linguistics course. Online Learning, 19(2), 33–42.
Kartha, C. P. (2006). Learning business statistics: Online vs traditional. The Business Review, 5(1), 27–32.
Kauffman, H. (2015). A review of predictive factors of student success in and satisfaction with online learning. Research in Learning Technology, 23.
Moradi, M., Liu, L., Luchies, C., Patterson, M. M., & Darban, B. (2018). Enhancing teaching learning effectiveness by creating online interactive instructional modules for fundamental concepts of physics and mathematics. Education Sciences, 8(3), 109.
Muilenburg, L. Y., & Berge, Z. L. (2005). ‘Student barriers to online learning: a factor analytic study.’ Distance Education , 26(1), 29–48. https://doi.org/10.1080/01587910500081269
Nennig, H. T., Idárraga, K. L., Salzer, L. D., Bleske-Rechek, A., Theisen, R. M. (2020). Comparison of student attitudes and performance in an online and a face-to-face inorganic chemistry course. Chemistry Education Research and Practice.
Neuhauser, C. (2002). Learning style and effectiveness of online and face-to-face instruction. The American Journal of Distance Education, 16(2), 99–113.
Nortvig, A. M., Petersen, A. K., & Balle, S. H. (2018). A literature review of the factors influencing E-learning and blended learning in relation to learning outcome, student satisfaction and engagement. Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 16(1), 46–55.
Park, J. H., & Choi, H. J. (2009). Factors influencing adult learners’ decision to drop out or persist in online learning. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 12(4), 207–217.
Ramlo, S. E. (2016). Students’ views about potentially offering physics courses online. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 25, 489–496.
Ruey, S. (2010). A case study of constructivist instructional strategies for adult online learning. British Journal of Educational Technology, 41(5), 706–720.
Schoenfeld-Tacher, R., McConnell, S., Graham, M. (2001). Do no harm-A comparison of the effects of on-line vs. traditional delivery media on a science course. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 10(3), 257–265.
Sikand, M. (2017). Online Learning for Higher Education Enhancing Access, Student Experience and Course Outcomes. Hispanic Educational Technology Services Online Journal, November 2017, 126–149
Xu, D., & Jaggars, S. S. (2011). The effectiveness of distance education across Virginia’s community colleges: Evidence from introductory college-level math and English courses. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, 33(3), 360–377.
Xu, D., & Jaggars, S. S. (2013). The impact of online learning on students’ course outcomes: Evidence from a large community and technical college system. Economics of Education Review, 37, 46–57.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethical Statement
All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee (IRB #6146) and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.
Consent Statement
Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Appendices
Appendix 1
Online to F2F Fidelity Table
General Physics 1315
*Both formats use the same textbook.
**Both formats submit assignments and complete quizzes online through the university's LMS.
Topic | Online | Face-to-face |
|---|---|---|
Representing motion | Motion Mini Lecture: Motions Read “Motion: A First Look” in your textbook, Ch. 1 “Stop to Think” Questions at the end of the text. Discussions, Q & A Forum Coordinates, Distance & Displacement Instructor text and diagram Velocity & Speed Mini Lecture: Velocity & Speed Instructor text, tables, formula models Graded Activities Syllabus Quiz Assignment: Speed Your Way to Work with example Quiz: Ch. 1 Motions – Particle Diagram Quiz: Ch. 1 Units | Motion Read “Motion: A First Look” in your textbook, Ch. 1 “Stop to Think” Questions at the end of the text. Discussions, Q & A Forum Coordinates, Distance & Displacement Lecture Velocity & Speed Lecture Lecture Graded Activities Syllabus Quiz Assignment: Speed Your Way to Work with example Quiz: Ch. 1 Motions – Particle Diagram Quiz: Ch. 1 Units |
Motion in one dimension | Describing Motion Instructor text Discussions, Q & A Forum Uniform Motion Mini Lecture Motions with Changing Velocity Instructor text, formula models The Free Fall YouTube Video Free Fall game Graded Activities Quiz – Ch. 2 Assignment – Free Fall | Describing Motion Lecture Discussions, Q & A Forum Uniform Motion Lecture Motions with Changing Velocity Lecture The Free Fall YouTube Video Free Fall game Graded Activities Quiz – Ch. 2 Assignment – Free Fall |
Vectors and motion in two dimensions | Velocity Vectors Mini Lecture Components of Velocity Vectors in Two Dimensions Instructor text, formula models, graphs Read Ch. 3 Velocity Components game Vectors—Adding, Subtracting & Multiplying Vector Addition & Subtraction game Activity from Chapter 3 with accompanying video. Acceleration Vectors Read textbook chapter 3.2 Discussions, Q & A Forum Circular Motion Read Ch. 3.8 Discussions, Q & A Forum Graded Activities Quiz – Ch. 3: Vector Components Quiz – Ch. 3: Adding, Subtracting & Multiplying Vectors Assignments: Vectors (choose task from Ch. 3) Third-Term Exam (Chs. 1–3) | Velocity Vectors Lecture Components of Velocity Vectors in Two Dimensions Lecture Read Ch. 3 Velocity Components game Vectors—Adding, Subtracting & Multiplying Vector Addition & Subtraction game Activity from Chapter 3 with accompanying video. Acceleration Vectors Read textbook chapter 3.2 Discussions, Q & A Forum Circular Motion Read Ch. 3.8 Discussions, Q & A Forum Graded Activities Quiz – Ch. 3: Vector Components Quiz – Ch. 3: Adding, Subtracting & Multiplying Vectors Assignments: Vectors (choose task from Ch. 3) Third-Term Exam (Chs. 1–3) |
Forces and Newton’s laws of motion | Force Vectors Instructor Text, formula model, graphic Newton’s Laws Mini Lecture Simulation video Interactive activity Instructor text, formula model Free-Body Diagrams Instructor text, formula models, graphics Discussions, Q & A Forum Graded Activities Assignment–Simulation Experiment (Newton’s Laws) Quiz – Ch. 4 MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. | Force Vectors Lecture Newton’s Laws Lecture Simulation video Interactive activity Free-Body Diagrams Lecture Discussions, Q & A Forum Graded Activities Assignment–Simulation Experiment (Newton’s Laws) Quiz – Ch. 4 MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. |
Applying Newton’s laws | How to Add Forces Component Wise Instructor text and graphics Read Ch. 5 Discussions, Q & A Forum Gravity Force Instructor text and formula models Video—Astronauts Jumping in 1/6 Gravity Normal Force Instructor text and graphics Friction Simulation interactive activity Graded Activities Quiz – Ch. 5, Mass & Weight Quiz—Ch. 5, Adding forces Component Wise Assignment: Applying Newton’s Laws MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. | How to Add Forces Component Wise Lecture Read Ch. 5 Discussions, Q & A Forum Gravity Force Lecture Video—Astronauts Jumping in 1/6 Gravity Normal Force Lecture Friction Simulation interactive activity Graded Activities Quiz – Ch. 5, Mass & Weight Quiz—Ch. 5, Adding forces Component Wise Assignment: Applying Newton’s Laws MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. |
Circular motion, orbits, and gravity | Uniform Circular Motion Instructor text, graphics, & formula models Centripetal Force Read Ch. 6 Discussions, Q & A Forum Video: Chris Hadfield: Inside the Centrifuge Graded Activities Quiz—Ch. 6 Assignment—Centripetal Force from Ch. 6 MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. | Uniform Circular Motion Lecture Centripetal Force Read Ch. 6 Discussions, Q & A Forum Video: Chris Hadfield: Inside the Centrifuge Graded Activities Quiz—Ch. 6 Assignment—Centripetal Force from Ch. 6 MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. |
Rotational motion | Angular Position & Angular Velocity Read Ch. 7 Discussions, Q & A Forum Torque Mini Lecture Instructor text, formula models Read Ch. 7.10 Discussions, Q & A Forum Gravitational Torque Read Ch. 7.4 and example 7.12 Discussions, Q & A Forum Graded Activities Assignment—Rational Motion Third-Term Exam (Chs 4–7) MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. | Angular Position & Angular Velocity Read Ch. 7 Discussions, Q & A Forum Torque Read Ch. 7.10 Lecture Read Ch. 7.10 Discussions, Q & A Forum Gravitational Torque Read Ch. 7.4 and example 7.12 Discussions, Q & A Forum Graded Activities Assignment—Rational Motion Third-Term Exam (Chs 4–7) MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. |
Equilibrium | Static Equilibrium Mini Lecture Simulation interactive activity Read chs 8.1 & 8.2 Discussions, Q & A Forum Graded Activities Quiz—Ch. 8 Assignment: Balancing Forks MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. | Static Equilibrium Lecture Simulation interactive activity Read chs 8.1 & 8.2 Discussions, Q & A Forum Graded Activities Quiz—Ch. 8 Assignment: Balancing Forks MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. |
Momentum | Momentum Instructor text, formula models Video: Physics of Football—Momentum Collisions Instructor text, graphics, formula models Graded Activities Quiz: Ch. 9 Assignment: Momentum MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. | Momentum Lecture Video: Physics of Football—Momentum Collisions Lecture Graded Activities Quiz: Ch. 9 Assignment: Momentum MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. |
Energy and work | Types of Energy Instructor Text Transforming Energy Instructor text Video: Mini-Hydro Power Plant with accompanying instructor-posed question Read ch. 10.1 Discussions, Q & A Forum Simulation interactive activity Energy Conservation Instructor text Rd. textbook example 10.11 Work-Energy-Theorem Instructor text, formula models Kinetic Energy Instructor text, formula models Potential Energy Instructor text, formula models Power Instructor text, formula models Graded Activities Quiz—Ch. 10: Energy Transformations Quiz—Ch. 10 Kinetic Energy Assignment: Potential Energy MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. | Types of Energy Lecture Transforming Energy Lecture Video: Mini-Hydro Power Plant with accompanying instructor-posed question Read ch. 10.1 Discussions, Q & A Forum Simulation interactive activity Energy Conservation Lecture Rd. textbook example 10.11 Work-Energy-Theorem Lecture Kinetic Energy Lecture Potential Energy Lecture Power Lecture Graded Activities Quiz—Ch. 10: Energy Transformations Quiz—Ch. 10 Kinetic Energy Assignment: Potential Energy MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. |
Using energy | Transforming Energy Instructor text and graphic Efficiency Instructor text and formula model Read pgs 320–321 and example 11.1 Energy in Food and the Body Video: Burning Foods To Measure Calories Instructor text, formula models, examples Temperature, Thermal Energy, & Heat Read Ch. 11.3 Discussions, Q & A Forum 1st Law of Thermodynamics Instructor text and formula model Heat Engines Instructor text and graphics Video: DIY: Cheap and Easy-ish Soda Can Stirling Engines Heat Pumps Read. Ch. 11.6 Discussions, Q & A Forum Graded Activities Quiz—Ch. 11 Assignment: Using Energy Third-Term Exam (chs. 8–11) MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. | Transforming Energy Lecture Efficiency Lecture Read pgs 320–321 and example 11.1 Energy in Food and the Body Video: Burning Foods To Measure Calories Lecture Temperature, Thermal Energy, & Heat Read Ch. 11.3 Discussions, Q & A Forum 1st Law of Thermodynamics Lecture Heat Engines Lecture Video: DIY: Cheap and Easy-ish Soda Can Stirling Engines Heat Pumps Read. Ch. 11.6 Discussions, Q & A Forum Graded Activities Quiz—Ch. 11 Assignment: Using Energy Third-Term Exam (chs. 8–11) MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. |
Thermal properties of matter | The Atomic Model of Matter Read Ch. 12.1 Discussions, Q & A Forum Ideal-Gas Law Simulation interactive activity Instructor text, formula models, explanations Video: Lab scenario (applying law) Ideal-Gas Processes Read ch. 12.3, 12.7, and 12.8 Discussions, Q & A Forum Specific Heat and Heat of Transformation Video: The Story Video: The Explanation Read “Heat of Transformation Section” in textbook, p. 378 Read example 12.16 Graded Activities Quiz—Ch. 12 Assignment – Shaving Cream in a Vacuum MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. | The Atomic Model of Matter Read Ch. 12.1 Discussions, Q & A Forum Ideal-Gas Law Simulation interactive activity Lecture Video: Lab scenario (applying law) Ideal-Gas Processes Read ch. 12.3, 12.7, and 12.8 Discussions, Q & A Forum Specific Heat and Heat of Transformation Video: The Story Video: The Explanation Read “Heat of Transformation Section” in textbook, p. 378 Read example 12.16 Graded Activities Quiz—Ch. 12 Assignment – Shaving Cream in a Vacuum MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. |
Fluids | Pressure Instructor text and formula models Pressure in Fluids Instructor text, formula models, and graphic Air Pressure Instructor text and formula model Pressure at Different Depths Instructor text, formula model Simulation interactive activity Buoyancy Instructor text, formula model Read ch. 13.4 Read example 13.6 Graded Activities MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. Final Exam Student Perception Survey Course Evals | Pressure Lecture Pressure in Fluids Lecture Air Pressure Lecture Pressure at Different Depths Lecture Simulation interactive activity Buoyancy Lecture Read ch. 13.4 Read example 13.6 Graded Activities MasteringPhysics Homework at textbook site. Final Exam Student Perception Survey Course Evals |
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bergeler, E., Read, M.F. Comparing Learning Outcomes and Satisfaction of an Online Algebra-Based Physics Course with a Face-to-Face Course. J Sci Educ Technol 30, 97–111 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-020-09878-w
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10956-020-09878-w