Developing an Online Learning Style Instrument

Abstract

Distance learning was begun in the 19th Century with correspondence education (Klesius, Homan, & Thompson, 1997). It has evolved from the correspondence delivery method, through radio methods, to today’s computer and interactive video and Internet techniques. With the explosive growth in the World Wide Web (WWW) in the early 1990s, an increasing number of courses have migrated to the Web—namely Web-based education or online education. In 2001, International WHERE + HOW (http://www.dlcoursefinder.com/US/index.htm) listed more than 55,000 online courses that are provided by higher educational institutions and training corporations. According to Peterson’s Distance Learning Guide (http://iiswinprd03.petersons.com/distancelearning/default.asp), about 3,600 degrees and certificate programs are available from universities all over the world. Many higher education institutions offer a wide variety of online courses and provide the opportunity for students to enroll in certain online courses as part of a degree. Other institutions offer complete undergraduate and graduate degrees through an online education program.