Addressing the learning styles of adult online learners and teaching styles of online faculty

The purpose of this study was to understand the connection between learning styles of adults enrolled in a Midwest university online environment and the teaching styles of their online faculty. It was believed that by understanding the different adult learning styles, adult learners could gain the knowledge to better utilize their personal learning styles and to be academically successful in an online environment. Furthermore, this same knowledge could assist online instructors in deliberately tailoring their teaching methods to accommodate these learning styles. Student and instructor data were collected from the mixed method study using questionnaires, inventories, and telephone interviews. The analysis within the study indicated that adult learners in an online environment display several different types of learning styles. Instructors also display a variety of teaching styles that were able to be matched with the four learning styles. The conclusion of this study stated that connecting learning styles and teaching styles in an online learning environment is important in making accommodations and modifications within the course room of online learners. A recommendation for additional research on the subject will bring about more inventive strategies that will greatly continue the academic growth within the online community.