Correlates of Effectiveness of Learning Networks: The Effects of Course Level, Course Type, and Gender on Outcomes

Data for almost 2000 students allow us to contrast learning outcomes for courses in three different modes of delivery (completely online, mixed, and completely on campus). The analyses are based on three different factors: course level (graduate vs. undergraduate), course type (more technical computer science and engineering courses vs. less technical courses in CIS, humanities, and management), and gender. In terms of final grades, we found that online students achieved higher grades than those in face-to-face (FtF) courses did. However, the perception of learning was similar across conditions. We also found a significant interaction between mode and course level: graduate students in mixed mode courses reported the highest levels of perceived learning. The results of this study enable us to further generalize the finding that ALN modes of delivery tend to produce results equal to or better than those for FtF modes of course delivery.