Title: Cognitive Style and Attitudes Towards Using Online Learning and Assessment Methods
Author: Martin Graff
Key points
- The study suggests that there is no solid relationship between the attitude of the student and their performance in the online course
- The author posits there are different “cognitive styles” such as wholist versus analytic, where wholists tend to do better in online discussion forums
Abstract:
The studies described in this paper sought to investigate several forms of online learning and assessment methods in terms their efficacy in facilitating student learning. The studies also sought to investigate how participants rated each method. Attitudes toward computer-assisted learning were not related to performance on each of the online methods employed, whereas some relationships were noted between cognitive styles and online learning and assessment. Finally, evaluation feedback from participants indicated that each online task was rated positively. Implications of the findings for further implementation of online instructional methods are discussed.
What would this look like in a course?
- Consider the personalities of students before jumping into discussion boards, breakout rooms, and other collaborative activities.
- In creating small group discussions, consider stratifying by the cognitive style of learners.