A comparative analysis of blended learning and traditional instruction: Effects on academic motivation and learning outcomes

• Published in: PloS one 2024-03, Vol.19 (3), p.e0298220-e0298220
• Main Authors: Shoukat, Rizwan, Ismayil, Iskander, Huang, Qibing, Oubibi, Mohamed, Younas, Muhammad, Munir, Rizwan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Biology and Life Sciences; Computer and Information Sciences; Education; Educational Personnel; Engineering and Technology; Humans; Learning; Mediation; Methods; Motivation; Motivation in education; People and Places; Reproducibility of Results; Sciences education; Social Sciences; Students; Study and teaching; Teachers
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298220

The correlational research study aims to examine how blended learning affects academic motivation and achievement. The objectives of the study are to assess students' opinions on the current level of blended learning, teachers' practice of blended instruction, the benefits of blended learning, its impact on academic motivation and learning outcomes, and factors influencing blended learning to determine how instructors' methods influence students' academic motivation and learning results. The study includes all Bachelor of Science students from various public and private institutions in the Faisalabad Division. Quantitative data from 400 students were collected from four selected institutions. A closed-ended, customized 5-point Likert scale questionnaire was used to collect data. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed through expert comments and pilot testing, with a reliability score of (= .97). Data were collected via Google Forms and researcher visits. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the collected data and answer the research questions. The findings of the study indicate that students somewhat agreed with the current blended learning environment, and strongly agreed with variables such as instructors' blended instruction techniques, the benefits of blended learning, and factors influencing blended learning. Blended learning had statistically significant positive effects on academic motivation and learning outcomes. The findings suggest improving the blended learning environment and instructors' blended education methods to enhance university students' academic motivation and learning outcomes.