Abstract
Scholars have suggested models proposing a variety of learning styles for humans. Human Dynamics is one such model, and it has been suggested within its model that one style of learning is enhanced by discussion among learners. While this style of learning may be accomplished relatively easily in an on-campus person-to-person situation, it is not clear how a discussion mode (online posts) of learning might be accomplished in an online format. A study of more than 9,000 posts from 240 students in 11 different online classes was conducted to determine whether differences in online discussion posts by individuals with different learning styles were evident. Results of the study suggest that discussion post activity, if managed with suitable rubrics and guiding principles, and augmented by appropriate modeling behavior, is an effective teaching mode for all dynamics, but seem to be a more successful learning mode for individuals of Physically Centered dynamics.
Highlights
Online education continues to gain in acceptance and implementation
Instructors may wish to address the needs of this substantial portion of their student body with communication that either is explicitly aural in nature, or attempts to replicate the aural communication preference as closely as possible. This is a challenge for online courses, and this article attempts to investigate whether an online discussion forum may be able to replicate in at least some manner what naturally occurs within a face-to-face classroom setting
The “Preferred Learning Style” post was conducted at the beginning of their classes, and 47 (62%) students’ “Preferred Learning Style” were in agreement with their self-determined dynamic, while 29 (38%) students’ “Preferred Learning
Summary
Online education continues to gain in acceptance and implementation. The Chronicle (DeSantis, 2013) reports the results of a recent Babson study that determined a 9.3% growth in online course activity from Fall 2010 to Fall 2011, and that an all-time high of 32% of students are taking at least one online course. Russ, Mitchell, and Durham (2010) reference Donnelly and others supporting the position that online education continues to grow as an important contributor to providing education for society. Hawk and Shah (2007) provide a valuable service to educators in reminding them that students have different preferred styles of learning. These styles of learning are both hereditary (Seagal & Horne, 1997) and adaptive as the individual learns and adopts the norms of society. While it appears that the most frequent method for contemporary education in post secondary schooling is the lecture, other methods of teaching appear to be not as common. The models noted above suggest that discussion and aural learning are important modes of learning for some individuals, Revere, Decker, and Hill (2012) cite the 2006
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