A study released last Friday by the U.S. Department of Education found that distance learning–or blended learning (also known as hybrid learning), where campus study is combined with online study–is considered a more effective approach than traditional learning behind the desk.

The study suggests that blended learning is the optimal method for handling postsecondary education, but that a purely online program still is considered superior to the classic learning system we have grown accustomed to over several centuries. Taken from the report from Ed.gov:

A systematic search of the research literature from 1996 through July 2008 identified over 1,000 empirical studies of online learning. Of these, 46 met the high bar for quality that was required for the studies to be included in the analysis. The meta analysis showed that “blended” instruction – combining elements of online and face-to-face instruction – had a larger advantage relative to purely face to face instruction or instruction conducted wholly online. The analysis also showed that the instruction conducted wholly on line was more effective in improving student achievement than the purely face to face instruction.

The study looked at K-12 online learning, but due to a smaller sample to yield results from, the study says that whether or not this information applies to the K-12 level is inconclusive. For colleges and universities, however, the U.S. Department of Education urges taking their short term stimulus money (before federal funding runs out) and upgrading their technology in any way possible to effectively offer hybrid learning to their student populace.

Distance learning and campus-based learning has undergone the compare-and-contrast treatment for years in order to validate that distance learning is an equal alternative to campus-based learning. With these findings, a graduate from an online school can now claim when their employer asks about their distance learning program that the U.S. Department of Education actually acknowledges online learning as superior to traditional campus learning.

The study was conducted by the Center for Technology and Learning, SRI International under contract to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Policy and Program Studies Service, which commissioned the study.

To read the full report, the Evaluation Reports page for the study.