Completing a Degree, Essay Example

Learning styles

Learning styles are the various ways of learning used by different individuals to gain education. They are the educating methods suitable to a particular person because of how they allow the individual to learn best. Generally, most people favor particular wars of interacting, absorbing and processing information. Consequently, individualized learning styles have been developed in recent times. Generally, the learning styles can be broadly classified into two, i.e. online learning and on ground learning. The two styles are applied by different individuals depending on their learning needs and the circumstances in which they are.

On ground learning style is the traditional style of learning whereby students attend classes and are taught by their teacher on one on one basis. In this case, there is direct communication and the student is able to ask questions and get answers instantly. The student relies on the teacher for notes and guidelines. The teacher also give and mark the exams .In this case, there is a relationship that is established between a teacher and his students. The students also meet and interact and are able to exchange ideas. However, very little research if any goes on since in most cases, the student waits for the teacher to give all information. Online learning on the other hand is internet based learning where the bulk of learning instructions are offered through the computer and the internet. In this case, there is no one on one meeting of the teacher and the student. Assignments are given and marked through the internet and the results conveyed to the student through the same means. In most cases, the student may never know who his teacher is and vice versa. But which of these two styles of learning is better? (Dunn, 35).

A look at Grantham University

Grantham University is an online university founded with an aim of giving educational opportunities to working people. It was founded in 1951 by a Second World War veteran Mr. Donald Grantham. Its initial aim was to train veterans for jobs in the electronic industry and hence better their lives on their return from the war. With time however, the university has transformed    from a brick and mortar school with many branches in the United States to a full online university. The university found in Kansas now serves not only the US but also many other countries around the world. The university provides accessible, affordable as well as professionally relevant degrees in the dynamic global village. It offers 24 different associate, bachelors and masters degree programs to thousands of online students. Because of its being online, the university is able to serve America’s finest not only at home but also when they are on active4 duty in any place of the world. Some of its students include the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, on ships, aircraft carriers, and on submarines (Jackson 109).

A look at American university

This is private affiliated research university founded by the Methodist church. Unlike Grantham University, it is an on ground university. It admits students from several areas across the world. The university serves as a research institute and a centre of higher education and a centre of higher education. Founded in 1893, the university offers learning opportunities to about 6000 students. It offers 26 education programs which are taught at its various campuses. The university’s main campus occupies over 83 hectares of land on which various buildings are located including students’ hostels and recreational facilities (Jackson 562).

The two examples above provide valuable evidence on the two styles of learning. The best style between the two depends on individual circumstances, the cost efficiency of the style and the amount and quality of knowledge gained by the student.

A survey carried in 2005 indicated that over 3.4 million students in the United States of America enrolled for classes online. The high number is associated with convenience and cost effectiveness of online learning. This explains the high number of students enrolled at Grantham University. On the other hand, the critics of the style criticize it for potential lack of honesty. There is doubt whether a student can look into his textbook during exams hence amounting to exam cheating. This explains why universities like the American university do not offer online classes. However, despite the notion about exam cheating, Grantham and other online universities continue to invest huge amounts of money towards establishing extensive online learning environment for the reason that online learning is more effective than on ground learning.

In on ground learning, students are distracted by external factors when they attend classes daily. For example, the weather may be too cold for the student to concentrate. Some students may be psychologically tortured if they notice others being better dressed than they are. Sometimes students drift away and get too busy talking to their fellow class mates and are unable to concentrate. These are cases that are highly unlikely to occur in online learning. One can make sure the learning environment is quiet and conducive and with minimum disruptions. Studying online is uncomplicated as there are no commuting fees or fees incurred in trying to look more presentable in a classroom (Sprenger 56).

Unlike on ground learning –learning helps people to balance their lives. A big percentage of the students in Grantham University are on military missions abroad. Through online learning many single mothers have been able to go back to college and complete their education. They are able to find time for their children, watch favorite programs as well as study. College drop outs are also able to organize themselves and complete their studies even without going back to school i.e. instead of going to school; the school is brought to them. Online learning also helps the people who are in financial difficulties and therefore have to work three or four different jobs at the same time (Honey 185).

Online learning is also less expensive compared with on ground learning. Grantham university’s mission is to ensure that no one lacks access to college education and hence their transformation to full online learning system. Through their system, it costs 495 dollars a unit which is much less compared to 1150 dollars per unit charged at the American university. In addition, there is no textbook burden in online learning. The online database is rich with learning materials. There are very many academic websites that provide valuable learning information for free e.g. textbook revolution and bibliomania.

One advantage of on ground learning is that students are able to interact with each other and hence avoid isolation. This prevents loneliness and also one is able to acquire valuable communication skills not acquired in online learning. However, this kind of interaction during class time distracts students from constructive school work. Online learning therefore encourages students to concentrate on their work and do concentrated reading. Students taking online studies could be distracted by interactive sites such as face book and MySpace. However, people usually visit the sites when out of class. The students therefore would not have a reason to visit the sites when they already visited them during free time (Leite, Walter and Shi Yuying 253).

It is worth noting that in e-learning, most of the learning is done by the student i.e. the teacher just gives basic guidance to the student. The student therefore has to look for most information that he or she is required to get. This makes the student more independent from the teacher. He is able to do most of the research from the internet without having to wait for the teacher. This makes the student more responsible and confident with what he is doing. On the other hand, on ground learning makes the student so much dependent on the teacher. The teacher has to teach and at the same time issue notes. To the student, whatever the teacher says is like bible truth and cannot be questioned. This makes the student lazy. Furthermore the student acquires minimum information as he cannot do his personal research.

As stated earlier, students taking online classes are independent of their teacher. They study from remote locations where their teachers cannot see them. It therefore calls for honesty for the student not to cheat in exams. Furthermore, online classes call for a lot of discipline bearing in mind that the student controls his time table. If the student is unable to observe strict discipline, he might find himself being caught up with time. Students who are not self disciplined are therefore best suited with on ground learning. This is because in on ground learning, the teacher will still come to class and issue notes. What such a student has to do is to just present himself for the class and the teacher will equip him with the information he needs to have. Therefore some points may remain unclear to online students. Furthermore, there is no immediate response in online learning unlike in on ground learning (Thomas 258).

On ground learning is best suited for all kind of learning. However, online learning cannot be suited for subjects that need demonstrations. Some disciplines like medicine would require the student to attend a class so that the lecturer can demonstrate how the medical procedures are done. Furthermore, it is not possible to use some communication skills such as gestures in online classes. Such skills play a very important part in clarifying things.

Despite the fact that online learning has some weaknesses, it’s obviously better than on ground learning due to its cost effectiveness and the quality of education one is able to acquire. One is also able to balance between his education and other matters. Furthermore, with advancement in technology, some of its weaknesses will be eliminated. For example, according to Grantham University, there is a plan to install web cams so that no more cheating takes place. The cameras are able to capture a 360 degree image. This will prevent cheating in e-learning and even make it better than on ground learning as cheating will be totally prevented (Matthews 75).

During the internet era, online learning has played a very great role in ensuring many people are able to access education. This is a convenient method of learning as one is able to multitask and balance his/her life. It gives students an opportunity to learn and experience new things in life. This is a technological revolution that one can hardly ignore.  Owing to the above reasons, online learning would be better for me.

Works Cited

Dunn, John. Teaching students through their individual learning styles: A practical approach. Reston, VA: Reston Publishing, 1978.

Honey, Mumford. The Learning Styles Questionnaire, 80-item version. Maidenhead, UK, Peter Honey Publications, 2006.

Jackson. An applied neuropsychological model of functional and dysfunctional learning 2005. sydney: concordpublishing house, 2008.

Jackson.  Using the hybrid model of learning in personality to predict performance in the workplace. Sydney: concord publishing house, 2009.

Leite, Walter L. and Shi Yuying. Attempted Validation of the Scores of the VARK: Learning Styles Inventory With Multitrait–Multimethod Confirmatory Factor Analysis Models. London:SAGE Publications, 2009.

Matthews, Saklofske. Measurement issues concerning a personality model spanning temperament, character and experience. London: Sage Publishers, 2005.

Sprenger, M. Differentiation through learning styles and memory. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 2003.

Thomas, Hawk . Using Learning Style Instruments to Enhance Student Learning.” Decision Sciences Journal of Innovative Education, 3.4(2007): 165-169.