An investigation of methods of instruction and student learning styles in Internet-based community college courses

This study investigated learning styles and students' perceptions of the helpfulness of Internet-based methods of instruction among students enrolled in Internet-based courses at the four Nevada community colleges. Soloman and Felder's Index of Learning Styles was used to determine student learning style preferences. A one-sample Chi-Square test showed the study group included significantly more reflective learners than general college populations studied by Kolb (1976), (Chi-Square = 6.37, p=. 012). This supports the idea that reflective learners would be more likely to enroll in the Internet-based course included in the study. A separate one-sample Chi-Square test also supported the idea that students with a preference for the global learning style were less likely to complete these Internet-based community college courses (Chi-Square = 7.93, p = .005). Because these tests did not involve direct comparison of groups, the evidence they provide is weak and further study in this area is recommended.;An analysis of students' helpfulness ratings for thirteen specific methods of instruction indicated students found Internet-based instruction to be helpful in learning course material, and e-mail and a detailed course schedule were perceived as the most helpful elements of a course. Chat and instructor control of the student's computer were perceived as the least helpful elements of a course. These results should be interpreted with caution as there was evidence that helpfulness ratings were influenced by the quality of the implementation and overall course satisfaction. No significant correlations were found between learning styles and perceived effectiveness of methods of instruction. Methodology issues with this study indicate the need for additional research in this area.