Peter Drucker, an award winning educator, once said, “We now accept the fact that learning is a lifelong process of keeping abreast of change. And the most pressing task is to teach people how to learn” (Drucker). Technology has changed many aspects of life, including education. Students are now able to take courses online. This has changed the way that teachers teach and only those students whose learning styles match this, or who adapt to these changes, succeed. Because of this and other underlying reasons, dropout rates for these types of classes are on the rise. The development of online classes has added pressure to students and influenced their learning potential.
The teaching methods of online instructors strains students and …show more content…
Each student has their own “unique learning style” (Diaz and Cartnal 130). In one study, the learning styles of online and traditional students were compared. The students were all given a test that determined the dominant way in which they retained information (Diaz and Cartnal 132). Successful online learners tended to be “independent” and able to learn with very little direction from teachers (Diaz and Cartnal 132). On the contrast, successful students in traditional live classrooms learned best with detailed instruction from teachers and “group” work with other students (Diaz and Cartnal 132). One professor applied the results of this study to the way he taught his classes. He allowed his online students to choose assignments that interested them and that they related to. Professors in live classes often engaged their students in hands on activities (Diaz and Cartnal 134). Each suited the personalities of the learners in both groups. The results of this study could be influential for all teachers everywhere. If teachers applied this information, the success of students would heighten dramatically. Many students choose to learn online because it fits their learning style, but when teachers teach the same way they do in traditional classrooms, pressure is placed upon them. In order to reduce this, their learning style needs to be found and worked with accordingly. Some successful online students shared the way they found and developed their learning style and strategies through a survey (Roper 62). “Time management” can be an issue when taking online classes (Roper 62). Because of this, “procrastination” can become a problem (Roper 62). Students had to develop time management skills and stick to a “schedule” in order to complete assignments (Roper 62). Daily study time was a key in fully grasping the content of the class. Communication was also important. Students were able to discuss
The teaching methods of online instructors strains students and …show more content…
Each student has their own “unique learning style” (Diaz and Cartnal 130). In one study, the learning styles of online and traditional students were compared. The students were all given a test that determined the dominant way in which they retained information (Diaz and Cartnal 132). Successful online learners tended to be “independent” and able to learn with very little direction from teachers (Diaz and Cartnal 132). On the contrast, successful students in traditional live classrooms learned best with detailed instruction from teachers and “group” work with other students (Diaz and Cartnal 132). One professor applied the results of this study to the way he taught his classes. He allowed his online students to choose assignments that interested them and that they related to. Professors in live classes often engaged their students in hands on activities (Diaz and Cartnal 134). Each suited the personalities of the learners in both groups. The results of this study could be influential for all teachers everywhere. If teachers applied this information, the success of students would heighten dramatically. Many students choose to learn online because it fits their learning style, but when teachers teach the same way they do in traditional classrooms, pressure is placed upon them. In order to reduce this, their learning style needs to be found and worked with accordingly. Some successful online students shared the way they found and developed their learning style and strategies through a survey (Roper 62). “Time management” can be an issue when taking online classes (Roper 62). Because of this, “procrastination” can become a problem (Roper 62). Students had to develop time management skills and stick to a “schedule” in order to complete assignments (Roper 62). Daily study time was a key in fully grasping the content of the class. Communication was also important. Students were able to discuss