ABSTRACT
If students cannot learn at least as effectively in ALN as in traditional face-to-face courses, then exploring the factors that make online learning work best would not be important. Thus, the first question asked by those who are new to online learning is: Does it “work”? This chapter reviews all of the studies that have empirically compared the two modes of course delivery, and comes to an unequivocal conclusion: Yes, the evidence overwhelmingly shows that ALN is at least as effective as classroom-based learning.
