This paper is a look at how whether the nature of an online learning environment is more conducive to individuals or not. The research findings sugest that among the pros of online learning is the that it makes a person have a more leader-oriented learning style. An individual has to be more self-motivated, independent and be able to communictae more effectively in writing. They also have to be able to take constructive criticism.
Learning
Online vs. Traditional Learning
Online learning has become a reality in the past decade and most traditional institutions have come to embrace this method of education. However, arguments remain regarding the effectiveness of online educational opportunities vs. those offered in the more traditional manner. Many possible reasons for this reluctance to fully embrace the technology exist, but the main reason seems to be that people are just not used to this method of education so it is difficult to alter one's perceptions. Those who have been embracing the digital education revolution have suggested that there may be a type of student who will benefit greatly from this type of education due to the way that they learn. This paper looks at learning styles as they correlate to online vs. traditional learning, and also examines the conjecture introduced by some that online learning may foster some traits, such as those required of leaders, better than traditional learning.
Online vs. Traditional Learning
The first argument made by those who believe that online learning students suffer compared to those in a traditional environment is that the online learner has no direct connection with an instructor. This is one of the many problems that is being addressed while online education programs are streamlined. As a matter of fact, the absence of a single instructor teaching a large number of students may make the environment better for those in the class. Researchers have begun to realize that there can be more individual instruction with in an online environment, and that this help can be more immediate (Dagorret, 2010).
Other benefits can be seen such as a reduced overall cost to the consumer (Dagorret, 2010), the flexibility and direct feedback (Online Education, 2012), and the fact that classes are often more convenient (Kennedy, 2007). The benefits that researchers have found though seem to be limited by some of the difficulties some learners have in the online environment. A problem occurs for those who are not ready to be self-directed in their quest for education. Because the online environment is less constrained, individuals will often fall behind in their courses and perform poorly. This type of message was at the core of research conducted by Ladkin, et al., (2009) which looked at the type of learner that online education benefitted and whether that type of learner was better equipped to lead after they completed their education.
Learning Style and Leadership
An interesting question that has not been properly examined in the existing literature concerns the person who is successful in an online learning environment. As mentioned previously, that individual first must be self-motivated to some heightened degree. It has long been known, and shown through research, that personality type is a strong determinant in learning style, so it makes sense that this finding would help researchers discover the type of person that would be successful in an online environment. A particular type of person who is "self-motivated, independent and able to communicate effectively in writing" (Reynolds, 2001) has been found to have more success when they are allowed to use those traits in a learning experience. These are also the traits that correspond most perfectly with those of an effective leader also.
Based on this assumption and previous research, a study was conducted to determine whether leadership could be a real outcome for online learners (Ladkin, et al., 2009). The findings were interesting. The researchers found that because the traits of successful learners mirror leadership qualities, online education was better able to build leaders. The reason for this seems to be directly linked to the typical person who is drawn to online learning vs. traditional. The traits -- self-motivation, written communication ability and independence -- can be seen in most who are able to motivate other in a leadership context, but the findings did not stop there. It also seems that the level of engagement a learner finds in an online environment plays a part, and the process of direct criticism from a roomful of classmates for every assignment does also. whereas learners in a traditional classroom may have a few assignments in which they are critiqued by their peers, online learners face this every time they hand something in (for the most part). This means that the person who is a success in the online classroom learns to take this constructive criticism and use it for their benefit. The engagement is a part of this. Ladkin, et al. (2009) looked at the online environment and found that leadership skills were taught in these classrooms. This serves to bolster the individual and make them a more critical thinker if they participate in the process,
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