Students' Learning Styles in Two Classes: Online Distance Learning and Equivalent On-Campus

David P. Diaz & Ryan B. Cartnal

Pages 130-135 | Published online: 25 Mar 2010

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/87567559909595802?journalCode=vcol20

Online vs. On-Campus Learning in Teacher Education

KayDee Caywood, Jane Duckett

First Published April 1, 2003

http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/088840640302600203

Psychometric Properties of Student Ratings of Instruction in Online and On-Campus Courses

Debbie E. McGhee,Nana Lowell

First published: 15 December 2003

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/tl.121/full

Students Learning Style in Two Classes: Online Distance Learning and Equivalent On-Campus

Diaz and Cartnal provide research data supporting particular learning styles that are more successful in
both online and on-campus classes. First, they performed the Kolb Learning Style Inventory and the
Canfield Learning style inventory of students in online and on-campus classes. They determined that
students who needed concrete and were not able to think abstractly were at a high risk of being
unsuccessful in an online course. Consequently, the study suggested that online students preferred an
independent learning environment whereas on-campus students preferred face-to-face interaction.

Second, the authors used the Grasha-Reichmann Student Learning Style Scale to assess the results of the
learning style inventories to determine similarities and differences in students that are successful in
either type of class. It is here they came to the conclusion that online students are usually non-
traditional college students and are more independent and self-directed. On-campus students were
more traditional and reliant upon interaction with the instructor and classmates.
Lastly, the authors examined the types of learning methods instructors used in both types of classes.
The conclusion is that teaching professionals need to employ a variety of learning methods in their
classes by being aware of the demographics of their students, conducting a learning style inventory of
their students, and being cognizant of students needs. Providing both collaborative and independent
assignments for students to widen their ability to be successful in different environments.