Online learning replacing face-to-face interactions is a preferred medium now and gained popularity especially after pandemic. The success in online learning would depend upon different learning styles, and it is highly necessary to understand the strategies to handle Gen Z for developing learner engagement. The purpose of this paper is to throw light on the inter-relationships between different learning styles and learner engagement and also to understand the characteristics of Gen Z and the strategies used to create engagement with Gen Z. The suggestions from this chapter insist that the different learning style require different pedagogies to create engagement among learners. The sociability skills and care about sustainability are incredibly more for Gen Z than previous generations, and hence, the learning environment can be carefully structured using these strategies, which brings in sustainable development.
TopIntroduction
Adoption of online learning poses many challenges that developing countries has to confront than developed countries. E-learning was stunning in the digitally advanced economies nevertheless it is not in developing economies due to several problems Basilaia and Kvavadze (2020). This chapter provides the reader an extensive view of problems due to different learning styles, personality and macro level variables and most effective strategies in online teaching and learning to achieve sustainable development in Higher Education.
Online learning has gained its fame only very recently. The popularity of online and hybrid learning amongst Indians is very high that was found by the survey by Pearson India, and it was conducted across five counties. The participants were adult learners between 18-65 years of age from Australia, India, Malaysia, UAE, UK. From the survey, it has been observed that India is in its headway in Online education. The majority (49%) of the Indian learners show a green signal to blended learning, whereas 32% of the adults prefer complete online courses. Another exciting aspect of this survey is about different types of learning among Indians, including social, emotional, and experiential learning that is viewed as very significant as they are the current job market requirements.
Online learners have diverse backgrounds, skills, learning styles, etc. Among all the attributes, learning styles play a significant role and significantly impact academic performance. Learning style denotes the individual differences that exist among individuals and their capacity in learning. Success in teaching depends on various factors, preferably adapting teaching pedagogy to an individual's learning style. The instructor should create a favorable environment where the needs of the learners can be met.
This chapter is divided into three parts. Part one discusses different dimensions of learning, including cognitive, affective, physiological, and psychological types. Part two covers the needs, expectation and barriers of various online learners in online education. Part three covers managing diverse learners and different online teaching pedagogies and creating learner engagement.
Defining Sustainability in the Context of E-Learning
The term “sustainability” has multiple connotations. The following definitions highlight the meaning of sustainability as follows:
UNESCO (2005) defined it as: “Education for Sustainable Development means including key sustainable development issues into teaching and learning; for example, climate change, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity, poverty reduction, and sustainable consumption. It also requires participatory teaching and learning methods that motivate and empower learners to change their behavior and take action for sustainable development. Education for Sustainable Development consequently promotes competencies like critical thinking, imagining future scenarios and making decisions in a collaborative way”. Based on the meaning defined above the following research aims and questions were framed to structure the chapter.
The current study will explore the following dimensions:
- •
What is the relationship between learning styles and effective online learning in achieving sustainable development through student engagement?
- •
What is the relationship between individual (personality) and macro dimensions (socio-economic status) and learning styles in attaining sustainable development among students in higher education?
- •
What are the effective strategies for efficacious online learning in accomplishing sustainable development in higher education?