Research Sources: Learning Environment

The topic that I have chosen to evaluate is whether the Arizona State learning systems are effective. I want to explore whether the learning systems are effective at ASU because I have also learned in a small classroom environment. The new systems of online classes, large lecture classes and hybrids are all very new to me. The biggest issue I had was that my criteria for a good learning environment will be different than any other student. The criteria for my topic will be; class participation, student-teacher relationships, lesson flexibility, ability to debate or ask questions, being able to socialize or develop relationships with other students, being able to learn even when missing a class, acceptability into the class and a non-biased atmosphere. 

The four places that I will look to for information will be a small class, a large lecture hall, a hybrid consisting of half online and half in person and an online class. 

The scholarly article that I used was Can Downsizing College Class Sizes Augment Student Outcomes? An Investigation of the effects of Class Size on Student Learning by Lauren Chapman and Larry Ludlow. This article was the Journal of General Education. This was the Vol. 59 issue 2, from pages one hundred five to one hundred twenty three. (19 pages) with one chart and two graphs. This issue deals with the subject of class sizes and how they effect learning. The article also deals with how the system of having large classes at introductory levels and small class sizes at advanced levels effects effects learning. I chose this article because it deals with class sizes and has interesting facts to back up the claim that small classes are better learning environments than large ones. This also interested me because I have been told before that the classes will be smaller in the future and that having big classes at introductory courses is not a big deal. This discusses this topic which is usually not talked about.

The book article that I used was A Comparison of Two Teaching Strategies: Lecture vs. Discussion in a Small Class Environment at Florida Southern College. The book was written by Robert E. Hedrick and was forty four pages. I chose this source because it compared the styles of large lecture halls and small classrooms. The study showed that large lecture halls had higher test courts but small classes had higher interest and attendance. I chose this because there was a sense of compromise between large and small classes. Many people are either for or against when dealing with the topic of small classes and large classes but rarely do people take both side. I learned that there is no perfect system and a collaboration might be the answer for learning.

The third source I used was Hybrid Courses and Their Impact on Student and Classroom Performance: A Case Study at the University of Virginia. I found this article online, https://calico.org/memberBrowse.php?action=article&id=104. The article spanned from pages 517-531 (14 pages). The source was a journal by Emily E. Scida and Rachel E, Saury at the University of Virginia. I used this source because it dealt with Hybrid learning. This was an interesting article that concluded that hybrid learning can be more effective than classroom learning. I chose this article because I wanted to take Japanese but it was only offered five days a week which I could not fit with my other classes. Had Japanese been a hybrid class, I would be able to take it.