Peter Archibong, Ph.D.

Online Education:

Improving Dropout Rate Using Learning theories

Abstract

The proliferation of online education in academic institutions over the past decade has revolutionized and challenged teaching and learning models. With distinct advantages over traditional face-to-face academia, online learning reduces learner travel costs as well as time away from work and family among other cited benefits. However, despite these benefits, online education continues to be challenged with high dropout rates of 30-50% compared with 14% in the traditional classroom (Lynch, 2001). Online education is also challenged with providing and justifying standardized methods of teaching processes to optimize learning outcomes. This paper compares and contrasts two popular models of online teaching based on Kolb’s Experiential Learning model and Knowles Andragogy model which are designed to reduce drop out rates in online education.

Table of Contents

Abstract PAGEREF _Toc119393641 \h 3

Online Education: PAGEREF _Toc119393642 \h 5

Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory PAGEREF _Toc119393643 \h 7

Cycle of Experiential Learning.. PAGEREF _Toc119393644 \h 9

Critique of Experiential Learning.. PAGEREF _Toc119393645 \h 10

Knowles Andragogy Theory PAGEREF _Toc119393646 \h 10

Four Phases of Andragogy.. PAGEREF _Toc119393647 \h 12

Phase 1: Why learning.. PAGEREF _Toc119393648 \h 12

Phase 2: Prior experiences.. PAGEREF _Toc119393649 \h 12

Phase 3: Hands-on.. PAGEREF _Toc119393650 \h 12

Phase 4: Application.. PAGEREF _Toc119393651 \h 13

Critique of Andragogical Learning.. PAGEREF _Toc119393652 \h 13

Comparison and Contrast (Kolb vs. Knowles) PAGEREF _Toc119393653 \h 14

Similarities.. PAGEREF _Toc119393654 \h 15

Dissimilarities.. PAGEREF _Toc119393655 \h 15

Application of the learning theories to online education PAGEREF _Toc119393656 \h 17

The four awareness cycle.. PAGEREF _Toc119393657 \h 17

Administrator-designer awareness.. PAGEREF _Toc119393658 \h 17

Designer-facilitator/instructor awareness.. PAGEREF _Toc119393659 \h 20

Instructor-students awareness.. PAGEREF _Toc119393660 \h 20

Student-researcher awareness.. PAGEREF _Toc119393661 \h 21

Evaluation of Kolb’s and Knowles’ Theories and Recommendation PAGEREF _Toc119393662 \h 21

Recommendations PAGEREF _Toc119393663 \h 23

Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc119393664 \h 24

References PAGEREF _Toc119393665 \h 27

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Last modified: July 04, 2008