Effectiveness of Interactive Digital Resources in Blended Learning: A Way Forward Using Technology After COVID-19

Grant program: Teaching and Learning Development Grant (TLDG)

Grant recipient: Connie Liu, Beedie School of Business

Project team: Yilong (Ina) Wang, research assistant

Timeframe: July 2022 to December 2023

Funding: $5000

Course addressed: BUS 237 – Introduction to Business Technology Management

Description: The literature states that blended learning provides flexibility to students and enhances their learning environment. It is because many blended learning courses provide online course materials allowing students to study at their own time and pace. This flexibility can result in students leaving their readings and material review to the last minute or not at all. When unprepared, students are unable to fully participate and feel the in class or in-person tutorial discussions are irrelevant to them. Moreover, students can become overwhelmed with their workload towards the end of the semester. This is particularly salient in large class settings where individualized attention is almost impossible.

This study aims to investigate how to build structured and flexible blended courses with an interactive repository of digital resources using flipped and blended learning pedagogy in the Canvas LMS. Findings from this study could provide a way to encourage independent learning and better engage students in a large class environment. In addition, I would like to investigate if a more guided environment enhances students’ personal attributes, such as understanding, interest, motivation, and engagement, resulting in increased student satisfaction. Existing empirical literature studied students’ satisfaction through TAM (Technology Acceptance Model) such as ease of use and attitude in the online environment. Instead, this study will look at satisfaction from the behavioral theory perspective.

Questions addressed:

• Will the use of an online learning platform help students in understanding of and interest in the course materials?
• Does the use of an online learning platform motive students to self-study?
• Can the use of an online learning platform increase students’ perceived engagement?
• Does the use of an online learning platform provide flexibility in the way students study?
• Does the use of an online learning platform affect the overall perceived satisfaction of the course?

Knowledge sharing: Workshops could be conducted to help other instructors who are interested in re-designing their course with added blended learning components. Also, I intend to write a paper based on the data collected.