IRMA-International.org: Creator of Knowledge
Information Resources Management Association
Advancing the Concepts & Practices of Information Resources Management in Modern Organizations

Evaluation Model for Real and Virtual Learning Environments: Theoretical Concept and Empirical Results

Evaluation Model for Real and Virtual Learning Environments: Theoretical Concept and Empirical Results
View Free PDF
Author(s): Kerstin Fink (University of Innsbruck, Austria)and Friedrich Roithmayr (University of Innsbruck, Austria)
Copyright: 2002
Pages: 4
Source title: Issues & Trends of Information Technology Management in Contemporary Organizations
Source Editor(s): Mehdi Khosrow-Pour, D.B.A. (Information Resources Management Association, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-930708-39-6.ch056
ISBN13: 9781930708396
EISBN13: 9781466641358

Abstract

Virtual learning is a way to empower a workforce with the skills and knowledge that is needed to turn the changes to a business advantage. Virtual learning environments distinguish from traditional learning environments by three key factors: • Missing face-to-face communication, • Lack of continuous feedback between the students and teachers, • Missing theoretical models for implementing an evaluation process. In virtual learning environments the students have no direct interaction with the instructor in order to receive more information about a course or discuss problems about the general performance. Especially in virtual learning environments it is necessary to have a good evaluation model and a constructive feedback situation. The authors’ experiences have shown that in virtual learning environments students overreact more vehemently to problems than in traditional learning environments. Therefore the research problem is to improve the quality of the knowledge transfer to students. In this article we introduce a theoretical model for the evaluation of traditional classroom and e-learning situations. In future learning environments there will be a combination of face-to-face and of virtual learning elements. It is important to evaluate not only the e-course content but also the quality of the instructors and materials. Current e-learning programs in higher education require a comprehensive planning that allows also evaluation processes.

Body Bottom