THE Inspired | Cynthia “Cyndy” Guillen, MBA, PMP, CSM

Online Learning and Learning Theories

Cynthia Guillen, MBA

Saint Leo University, EDU 536

Thesis

In the age of instant learning, access to information on the internet and through social media allows learners to absorb new knowledge, skills and abilities within a shorter period of time than ever before. Social media and the internet provide access to infinite knowledge repositories and content libraries. With over 4 million blog posts published on the Internet every day they way we leverage technology to reach learners is more important than ever before (Stevens, 2018). According to Stevens (2018), there are over 4.1 billion internet users in the world as of December 2018. With the rise of e-learning and social media, online learning platforms and communities will provide opportunities for individuals seeking to learn new skills to achieve their professional and personal goals. The effectiveness of online learning platforms is supported by several learning theories, including adult learning, social learning, and communication and media.

How Online Learning Supports Adult Learning Theory

There are differences in the way adults and children learn. The study of how adults learn is called andragogy and was first introduced by Malcolm Knowles in the 80’s (TEAL Center Staff, 2011). Major characteristics of adult learning include: self-directed learning, learning based on experience, and learning by doing. Online learning can be derived from formal online learning platforms, such as Lynda and Udemy, as well as informal outlets such as YouTube and Reddit. Instructional content can range from learning complex skills such as bookkeeping and coding to improving capabilities like, applying makeup or baking a cake. However simple or complex the problem, learners can seek out how to improve their current personal or professional status by utilizing online learning platforms.

Online learning appeals to adult learners because it can be self-directed. According to TEAL Center Staff (2011), “Self-directed learning (SDL) is a ‘process in which individuals take the initiative, without the help of others’ in planning, carrying out, and evaluating their own learning experiences (Knowles, 1975)”. Furthermore, TEAL (2011) suggests that 70 percent of all adult learning is self-directed. Another reason adults are attracted to online learning is the feasibility of incorporating SDL into practice. SDL affords adult learning the opportunity to incorporate new content into their daily activities and experiment with new knowledge, skills, and abilities to improve their personal and/or professional identity. SDL can lead to Transformational Learning (TL), “Learning that changes the way individuals think about themselves and their world, and that involves a shift of consciousness” (TEAL, 2011, p. 2). It is important that SDL and TL learning are supported with feedback and the opportunity to discuss learning outcomes to deepen their understanding of new concepts.

How Online Learning Supports Social Learning Theory

Online learning can occur in formal online environments such as an e-learning classroom like an online biology course, or informally through discussion forums like LinkedIn Professional groups. These different types of online learning environments create communities of learners which support the principles of Social Learning theory. Klein, Richey, and Tracey (2011) explain, “A basic assumption of social cognitive theory is that learners draw out information from observing the behaviors of others and then make decisions about which of these behaviors to accept and perform” (p. 61).

When learners interact with each other through online engagement they are participating in activity that supports social learning theory. For example, if an online biology class requires students to respond to each others online discussion posts they are partaking in a social learning activity that will incorporate the four principles of social learning: attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. In the same way, the discussion on a professional topic, such as ‘How to Build Your Resume’ within a LinkedIn group allows participants to learn from the experiences of others and make decisions to modify their behaviors. Eoghan (2018) suggests that discussion forums have the advantage of leveraging observational learning elements of Bandura’s theory because learners can observe the discussions of others, which allows them to learn from the experiences of others and gain new perspectives.

How Online Learning Supports Communication and Media Theories

Communication theory examines how information is passed from one place to another. Perhaps, the most popular form of online communication considered by most would be social media. According to Smith (2019), there are 3.397 billion active social media users and on average users spend 166 minutes daily on social media. With so many users spending a portion of their day on social media, it can be assumed users are absorbing knowledge via social media platforms and participating in online learning. Over the past ten years e-learning and social media have starting to align more, impacting the way instructors and learners connect. Pappas (2013) explains, “Teachers, instructional designers, educational institutions, companies, and even organizations have started to heavily rely on the use of social media in formal learning, to share practices, promote information and educational material, share opinions, views and comments, embodying them in training programs and individual courses”.

Media theory and communication are closely aligned given the inter dependencies of both. Without a mode of delivery communication is limited; contrarily, without a message effectiveness of media greatly diminishes. Media theory examines the components of mediated instruction that facilitate learning, and explains how learning occurs when media is involved (J. Klein, et al, 2011). Interacting with online learning is considered a type of media as a learning environment.

The use of technology provides us access to activities that range in complexity from abstract to concrete. The importance of media and its effectiveness in conveying abstract and concrete concepts is best explained using Edgar Dale’s Cone of Experience. J. Klein, et al, (2011) suggests Dale’s Cone visualizes the role of media as links between doing and symbolizing. Online learning can occur formally and informally through a variety of models including (but not limited to) e-books, webinars, video, podcasts, pictures. Through media, instruction can be absorbed instantly (micro-learning) or over a long period of time (pursuing a degree online).

Conclusion

A learning theory is a concept of how a topic can be taught based on the way people learn, and activities that support learning. It is important that instructional designers have a thorough understanding of the various learning theories to understand how to support, motivate and inspire all learners to succeed. Technology and access to the internet allow users to experience learning online through formal and informal learning models. With over 4 billion internet users globally, it is crucial that people from under-served communities have access to these resources to allow them to be competitive in areas like, software development, creative design and business enterprise. Online learning is effective because it supports multiple ways people learn, this includes adult learning, social learning, and learning with the support of communication and media.

References

Eoghan. (2019, February 20). Applying Social Learning Theory to eLearning. Retrieved February 24, 2019, from https://www.learnupon.com/blog/social-learning-theory/

Pappas, C. (2017, October 13). The Role of Social Media in eLearning. Retrieved February 24, 2019, from https://elearningindustry.com/the-role-of-social-media-in-elearning

Smith, K. (2019, January 02). 122 Amazing Social Media Statistics and Facts. Retrieved February 24, 2019, from https://www.brandwatch.com/blog/amazing-social-media-statistics-and-facts/

Stevens, J. (2019, January 29). Internet Statistics & Facts (Including Mobile) for 2019. Retrieved February 24, 2019, from https://hostingfacts.com/internet-facts-stats/

TEAL Center Staff. (2011). Adult Learning Theories[PDF]. American Institute for Research.