Learning Styles and Online Education

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the changing reality of education, especially in light of students who take courses online, questioning whether there is a style of learning that best fits the asynchronous online environment. First, the paper gives a literature review of research into theories that attempt to explain how different people learn and process information. From this, the paper further describes which learning style and student is best suited for distance learning. Various studies are highlighted showing which students are most likely to succeed with online courses, and how this is linked to achievement and motivation. The author concludes that the literature reviewed suggests that there may in fact be a style or group of styles that work best in the online environment.

Outline:
Introduction
Literature Review
Analysis
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"There are many different theories that attempt to explain how different people learn and process information. While these theories may differ a great deal from each other what they all agree on is that there are many different ways a learner can absorb and process information. In their article Students Learning Styles in two Classes Diaz and Cartnal (1999) look at the question of whether or not there is a basic difference in the learning styles of students who enroll in distance education and those who enroll in typical campus classes. The authors focus specifically at Kolb's Learning Style Inventory (LSI). Kolb identified four types of learning; concrete experience (feeling), reflective observation (watching), abstract conceptualization (thinking), and active experimentation (doing) (Loo, 2002). "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Andrusyszyn, M., Cragg, C., & Humbert, J. (2001). Nurse Practitioners Preferences for Distance education methods related to leaning style, course content and achievement. Journal of nursing education. 40 (4), pp163-171. Retrieved March 16th 2004, from University of Phoenix Online Library at http://www.apollolibrary.com/databases.asp?db=1
• Aragon, S. R., Johnson, S. & Shaik, N. (2002). The Influence of Learning Style Preferences on Student Success in Online Versus Face-to-Face Environments. The American Journal of Distance Education. 16(4) pp 227- 244. Retrieved March 16th 2004, from University of Phoenix Online Library at http://www.apollolibrary.com/databases.asp?db=1
• Czubaj, C. (2002). A Study of Studies: Cyberspace Communications. Education. 123(2), pp338. Retrieved March 3, 2004, from University of Phoenix Online Library at http://www.apollolibrary.com/databases.asp?db=1
• Diaz, D. & Cartnal, R. (1999). Students' Learning styles in two classes. College Teaching. 47(4), pp 130-136. Retrieved March 3, 2004, from University of Phoenix Online Library at http://www.apollolibrary.com/databases.asp?db=1
• Fasko, D. (2001). An Analysis of Multiple Intelligences theory and its uses with gifted and talented. Roeper Review. 23(3), pp126-131. Retrieved March 3, 2004, from University of Phoenix Online Library at http://www.apollolibrary.com/databases.asp?db=1

More papers on Learning Styles and Online Education:

• Analytical Essay # 150173 : "Tailoring Learning Styles and Distance Learning for Results"
• Research Paper # 53276 : "Online Courses"
• Research Paper # 146937 : "Multiple Intelligences in the Online Classroom"

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