Researchers at the University of Arizona, led by Teresa Cummins, conducted an exploratory study on the online learning modules, designed to supplement hands-on classes taught by local experts and supported by an overview text, to help users increase their understanding of key concepts in the Arizona Master Watershed Steward program. They also sought to determine whether program participants would use the non-compulsory modules.
Their evaluation revealed that module users increased their understanding of key watershed concepts; participants in the evaluation demonstrated a 30 percent increase in content knowledge following module use. Additionally, 70 percent of participants retained this knowledge through a two-month follow-up test.
A follow-up survey showed that approximately half of the participants returned to the online modules on their own; several of these users returned several times and spent multiple hours per session. Comments from the follow-up survey suggested that the users accessed the site either as they had the time or as they needed the information.
Online usage statistics indicated participants continued to visit the site for many months following the modules’ release and advertisement. Though many visits were very brief (a single pageview; only a couple of seconds), visitors with many returns to the site and/or long visits appeared to be working through the modules.
One participant stated, "My brain can only hold so much information; the modules keep information on-hand." Other participants commented that the modules were "more interesting and interactive" than the text material, and a "very effective tool" and "a great resource to the Master Watershed Steward community."
The Arizona Master Watershed Steward program, sponsored by University of Arizona, prepares adults to serve as volunteers in the conservation of water resources and the protection, restoration, and monitoring of their watersheds. The modules were intended to reinforce concepts covered in classes and further engage participants in the learning process.
One key finding was that the modules were not clearly preferred by users over in-person instruction. One participant stated, "For me, they are just another avenue for learning, a supplement or additional reference. I prefer in person and real hands-on learning." Other participants similarly expressed their desire for hands-on and face-to-face interaction. Several participants noted that the usefulness of in-person lectures—was a function of the presenter.
Overall, the exploratory evaluation indicated that the modules were a welcome supplement to the course and were effective in reinforcing key concepts. Participants retained knowledge for several weeks, although since subjects were self-selected, they may have been self-motivated to pay attention and master the online module materials.
"I am constantly searching for new ways to educate our program’s diverse audiences and reinforce watershed science concepts, " says Candice Rupprecht, state coordinator for the Master Watershed Steward program. "I am excited to know that online learning modules can enhance our program by offering additional independent learning opportunities for our volunteers.
What the participants expressed in Paragraph 7 means that（）
A. users of the online modules want to learn some practical skills
B. teachers can teach program participants practical skills in classroom
C. some participants may consider learning in traditional classrooms better
D. learners prefer to select lectures by themselves on the internet
参考答案：C
解析：
[试题类型] 推理引申题。
[解题思路] 本题考查考生对第七段中参与者的观点的理解。该段第一句为本段主题句，该句指出，比起面授课程，用户对在线学习模块并没有表现出明显的青睐(the modules were not clearly preferred by users over in-person instruction)。第二句到本段末作者列举了几位参与者的观点，如“我更喜欢面授的、亲身参与的学习”(I prefer in person and real hands-on learning)，“更希望亲身参的、面对面的互动”(their desire for hands-on and face-to-face interaction)等，均是为了说明有的用户更青睐面授课堂，故选项[C]“有的参与者认为传统的课堂授课更好”符合原文，为正确选项。
[干扰排除] 选项[A]望文生义，将hands-on learning理解为practical skills，为错误选项。第七段最后一句指出，面授课堂的实用性在于面授教师所发挥的作用，并没有提到教师的作用是教授学生实用技巧，故排除选项[B]。文中参与者的观点是更喜欢而授课程(in person lectures)，而不是更喜欢在网上自主选课，故[D]为错误选项。