Online or in-class problem based learning: Which one is more effective in enhancing learning outcomes and critical thinking in higher education EFL classroom?

Background

Although problem based learning has a great potential to promote learning outcomes as well as cognitive abilities, the number of previous studies investigating this potential on critical thinking, reading comprehension abilities and attitudes in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context is scarce. Also, the number of studies comparing the effectiveness of online and face-to-face problem based learning on these variables is scarcer and this limited research has yielded contradictory results.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate and compare the effectiveness of online and face-to-face problem based learning on critical thinking skills, dispositions, reading comprehension abilities, and attitudes of EFL students.

Method

Pretest-posttest control group quasi-experimental design was employed in this study that has two experimental groups and one control group. There were 23 (13 females and 10 males), 23 (14 females and 9 males), and 22 (12 females and 10 males) EFL students in online problem based learning group, face-to-face problem based learning group, and control group, respectively. In the first experimental group, problem based learning activities were conducted online while the same activities were conducted face-to-face in the classroom in the second experimental group. In the control group, no experimental procedures were followed and the students continued their regular instructor-led reading activities. Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Test, Sosu Critical Thinking Dispositions Scale, Reading Comprehension Test, and Attitudes Towards English Scale were used to collect the data. The data were analysed using paired-samples t-test and ANCOVA with pretest scores as the covariate variable.

Results and Conclusions

It was found that problem based learning, either online or face-to-face, significantly enhanced EFL learners' reading comprehension abilities and attitudes towards English as well as their critical thinking skills and dispositions. It was also concluded that online problem based learning is more effective to enhance reading comprehension abilities and attitudes than face-to-face problem based learning while they are equally effective in promoting critical thinking skills and dispositions in EFL classroom.

Implications

This study has significant implications for educators and researchers. As this study showed that online problem based learning is a promising alternative to face-to-face problem based learning, universities, educators, administrators, and researchers can organize their problem based learning activities online to promote learning outcomes and cognitive abilities in language classrooms. Also, future studies employing qualitative or mixed methods can be conducted with sample groups from different educational levels to provide an in-depth examination of the advantages and disadvantages of online and face-to-face problem based learning.