scholarly journals Addressing diverse learner preferences and intelligences with emerging technologies: Matching models to online opportunities

Author(s):  
Ke Zhang ◽  
Curtis J. Bonk

This paper critically reviews various learning preferences and human intelligence theories and models with a particular focus on the implications for online learning. It highlights a few key models, Gardner’s multiple intelligences, Fleming and Mills’ VARK model, Honey and Mumford’s Learning Styles, and Kolb’s Experiential Learning Model, and attempts to link them to trends and opportunities in online learning with emerging technologies. By intersecting such models with online technologies, it offers instructors and instructional designers across educational sectors and situations new ways to think about addressing diverse learner needs, backgrounds, and expectations. Learning technologies are important for effective teaching, as are theories and models and theories of learning. We argue that more immense power can be derived from connections between the theories, models and learning technologies. Résumé : Cet article passe en revue de manière critique les divers modèles et théories sur les préférences d’apprentissage et l’intelligence humaine, avec un accent particulier sur les implications qui en découlent pour l’apprentissage en ligne. L’article présente quelques-uns des principaux modèles (les intelligences multiples de Gardner, le modèle VAK de Fleming et Mills, les styles d’apprentissage de Honey et Mumford et le modèle d’apprentissage expérientiel de Kolb) et tente de les relier à des tendances et occasions d’apprentissage en ligne qui utilisent les nouvelles technologies. En croisant ces modèles avec les technologies Web, les instructeurs et concepteurs pédagogiques dans les secteurs de l’éducation ou en situation éducationnelle se voient offrir de nouvelles façons de tenir compte des divers besoins, horizons et attentes des apprenants. Les technologies d’apprentissage sont importantes pour un enseignement efficace, tout comme les théories et les modèles d’apprentissage. Nous sommes d’avis qu’en établissant des liens entre les théories, les modèles et les technologies d’apprentissage, il est possible d’obtenir un résultat plus puissant. This article has been translated to Armenian. Click here for the translation.

2010 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 43-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel Muwanguzi ◽  
Lin Lin

This study examines the usability challenges and emotional reactions of blind college students in their attempts to access online educational materials and to communicate with colleagues through online technologies. A case study approach was adopted. Five students were interviewed regarding their online learning experiences using Blackboard, a popular Course Management System. Analysis of the interviews revealed that Blackboard was poorly accessible to the blind students, which affected achieving their academic goals. The study also showed that the blind students were motivated and optimistic of their successes despite their frustrations and feelings of marginalization. The study suggests that academic administrators and database designers work jointly with adaptive software developers in developing enhanced user interfaces to ensure universal access and usability of online technologies and to reduce educational inequities and frustrations encountered by blind students.


Author(s):  
Carlos R. Morales

With the continuous growth of online learning in higher education, the need to design course materials that capitalize and leverage on the richness of the Internet and learning technologies has taken on new dimensions. Constructivist theory paired with instructional design models is believed to have a positive influence on the design of learning environments that apply content to real-life situations. Constructivist instructional design for online learning challenges instructional designers regarding the philosophy and methodology to be used, while it provides the conditions for learner-centered instruction. Instructional design and learning theories have been separated into their own arenas. Developing online learning environments using constructivist instructional design addresses and serves the learning needs of students by providing opportunities for increased knowledge construction and participation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony G. Picciano

The purpose of this article is to propose a blending with purpose multimodal conceptual model for designing and developing blended learning courses and programs. A blended learning model is presented that suggests teachers design instruction to meet the needs of a variety of learners. Specifically, Blending with Purpose: The Multimodal Model recognizes that because learners represent different generations, different personality types, and different learning styles, teachers and instructional designers should seek to use multiple approaches including face-to-face methods and online technologies that meet the needs of a wide spectrum of students. A major benefit of multiple modalities is that they allow students to experience learning in ways in which they are most comfortable while also challenging them to experience and learn in other ways as well. Critical to this model is the concept that academic program and course goals and objectives drive the pedagogical approaches and technologies used. Issues related to definitions of blended learning, how teachers and students use technology, generational characteristics among student populations, and learning styles are examined.


Author(s):  
Sharon Cox

Research into the learning styles and preferences of students is well established but is currently the subject of renewed interest driven by a number of factors. First, following policies to encourage and facilitate widening participation, the student population is being drawn from more varied backgrounds, and greater emphasis is being placed on helping students to learn (Smith, 2002). Second, models of learning theory have largely been developed in isolation from the subsequent advances in the use of information communication technology (ICT) and its changing role in education (Sadler-Smith & Smith, 2004). The flexibility offered by online learning environments changes both the temporal and spatial dimensions of the learning context. Technology increases the physical distance between student and lecturer and imposes a technical aspect, which may be seen as a physical barrier to learning or may be perceived as a way of removing cultural and social barriers and therefore opening and creating new opportunities for dialogue. The impact of ICT on the learning context offers new opportunities and challenges to learners and instructors that need to be considered within the context of learning preferences. Third, the renewed interest in learning styles is perhaps also fuelled by the ease with which multiple modes of learning can be accommodated and combined using ICT. Within online learning environments learning objects can be developed and reused more easily, for example, short videos can be created without the use of extensive production equipment. This provides the opportunity for lecturers to reconsider their pedagogic strategies to effectively integrate the use of technology into teaching (Fisher & Baird, 2005).


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 24
Author(s):  
Victoria Abou-Khalil ◽  
Samar Helou ◽  
Eliane Khalifé ◽  
MeiRong Alice Chen ◽  
Rwitajit Majumdar ◽  
...  

We aim to identify the engagement strategies that higher education students, engaging in emergency online learning in low-resource settings, perceive to be effective. We conducted a sequential mixed-methods study based on Moore’s interaction framework for distance education. We administered a questionnaire to 313 students engaging in emergency online learning in low-resource settings to examine their perceptions of different engagement strategies. Our results showed that student–content engagement strategies, e.g., screen sharing, summaries, and class recordings, are perceived as the most effective, closely followed by student–teacher strategies, e.g., Q and A sessions and reminders. Student–student strategies, e.g., group chat and collaborative work, are perceived as the least effective. The perceived effectiveness of engagement strategies varies based on the students’ gender and technology access. To support instructors, instructional designers, and researchers, we propose a 10-level guide for engaging students during emergency online classes in low-resource settings.


2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-26
Author(s):  
Jing Hu ◽  
Silva Maria Do Carmo Vieira

Problem and goal. With the advent of the information age, Internet-based online learning has also become one of the learning methods chosen by many learners. They can use these online learning platforms to complete knowledge construction while learning offline. Methodology. Most studies of learning behaviors focus on the discovery of the best learning model and disregard the possible impact of different learning behaviors on knowledge construction. Therefore, based on the Felder - Silverman learning style model, this article uses the Solomon learning style scale to improve the design of the questionnaire and collect four-dimensional differential learning behaviors data. In order to further understand the influence of learning styles on the effectiveness of online learning, we also use online learning data on the Small Private Online Course platform and general cognitive intelligence knowledge integration theory to clarify the relation between learning modes and individuals differences. Results. This study observes and analyzes the learning behavior data of 46 students of Nankai University in the SPOC learning platform, also analyzes the differences in learning styles and knowledge construction of students in the SPOC environment. Compared with the traditional Basic Portuguese teaching method, the blended teaching model based on the Chaoxing Learning platform has unparalleled advantages. Interactions inside and outside the classroom, improving student participation and promoting teaching diagnosis. Conclusion. Through a comprehensive analysis of questionnaire data and online data, we found that some learning styles have different effects on the effectiveness of online learning, ignoring the individual differences of learners will still cause problems in knowledge construction.


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