НАУЧНИ ТРУДОВЕ НА РУСЕНСКИЯ УНИВЕРСИТЕТ - 2010, том 49, серия 3.

Learning Styles and E-Learning Face-to-Face to the Traditional Learning

Nina Bencheva

Learning Styles and E-Learning Face-to-Face to the Traditional learning: The article considers an
analysis of the knowledge delivery methods: traditional learning, blended learning and E-Learning. A
literature review and analysis of the delivery methods have been done. Comparison between traditional
learning and E-Learning is made. The most important advantages and disadvantages of the different delivery
methods are analyzed.
Key words: Learning, traditional learning, blended learning, E-Learning, delivery methods.

INTRUDUCTION
What is learning? – People all learn in different ways from listening, watching,
questioning, doing and helping others to learn [11]. Different learners have different
cognitive processes, learning style preferences and past experiences that they apply when
learning takes place [4, 5, 10, 15]. An individual’s learning style will affect the manner in
which information is processed during learning and thinking, having a considerable effect
on the learning effectiveness and efficiency [10]. Sadler-Smith [13] referred to 3
dimensions of learning preferences:
• Dependent learners – prefer instructor-directed, highly structured programmes with
explicit assignments and assessment by the instructor;
• Collaborative learners – are discussion oriented and favour group projects,
collaborative assignments and social interaction;
• Autonomous learners – prefer to exercise an influence on the content and structure
of the learning programmes within which the instructor is a resource.
Just as there are different methodologies that learners prefer in a classroom situation
it is reasonable to assume that the same situation exists when someone is using a
technology-supported environment. Ross and Schulz [12] suggest that computer aided
instruction may not be the most appropriate method of learning for all students.
What is E-Learning? – We can essentially consider E-Learning as the computer and
network enabled transfer of skills and knowledge. E-Learning refers to using electronic
applications and processes to learn. E-Learning applications and processes include Web-
based learning, computer-based learning, virtual classrooms and digital collaboration.
Content is delivered via the Internet, intranet/extranet, audio or video tape, satellite TV,
and CD-ROM. It can be self paced or instructor led and includes media in the form of text,
image, animation, streaming video and audio.
In the GrayHarriman [3] the differences between the different type of E-Learning
resources are given:
• Online Learning takes place via the Web and may include text, graphics,
animation, audio, video, discussion boards, e-mail, and testing. Online learning is typically
"on demand" and self-directed but may include synchronous chat, web based
teleconferencing (audiographics), or similar technology.
• Distance Learning is learning that takes place when the instructor and the learner
are not in the same physical location. It can also take place if the instructor and the learner
are in the same location but not at the same time. Today distance learning is carried out
via a number of media ranging from postal mail to teleconferencing or the Internet.
"Distance Learning" (learner focus) and "distance education" (instructor focus) are often
used as interchangeable terms. In reality, however, Learning is the result of Education.
• Blended learning combines online with face-to-face learning. The goal of blended
learning is to provide the most efficient and effective instruction experience by combining
delivery modalities. The term "blended learning" is used to describe a solution that
combines several different delivery methods, such as collaboration software, Web-based
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courses, Electronic performance support systems (EPSS), and knowledge management

practices. Blended learning also is used to describe learning that mixes various event-
based activities, including face-to-face classrooms, live E-Learning, and self-paced
instruction.
• M-Learning – The term M-Learning or Mobile Learning refers to the use of
handheld devices such as PDAs, mobile phones, laptops and any other handheld
information technology device that can be used in teaching and learning.

COMPARING TRADITIONAL LEARNING AND E-LEARNING

There is an argument that traditional learning is the best way of maintaining a
learning process. Other models are always considered to be inferior or less efficient.
However, there is no finding to support this argument, and research shows that
technology-supported models are at least as good as traditional learning [9].
E-Learning includes many components that are familiar from traditional learning, such
as: presentation of ideas by the students, group discussions, arguments and many other
forms of conveying information and accumulating knowledge.
E-Learning also includes advantages which are not found in traditional learning, such
as: time for digesting the information and responding, enhanced communication among
the learners, both as regards quality and as regards urgency, knowledge being acquired
and transferred among the learners themselves, the ability to conduct an open discussion,
where each learner gets more of an equal standing than in a face-to-face discussion,
access to information and to discussion ability, responses may be made around the clock
with no restrictions, a higher motivation and involvement in the process on the part of the
learners.
Comparison between traditional learning and E-Learning is shown in Table 1.
Table1: Comparison between traditional learning and E-Learning
Traditional Learning E-Learning

Classroom The teacher usually talks more than The student talks at least as much as or more
Discussions the student. than the teacher.
Learning The learning is conducted with the Most of the learning process takes place in
Process whole class participating; there is groups or by the individual student.
almost no group or individual study.
Subject Matter The teacher conducts the lesson The student participates in determining the
according to the study program and subject matter; the studying is based on various
the existing curriculum. sources of information, including web data banks
and net-experts located by the student.
Emphases in The students learn “what” and not The students learn “how” and less “what”; the
the Learning “how”; the students and the learning includes research study which combines
Process teachers are busy completing the searching for and collecting information from web
required subject matter quota; the data banks and authorities on the
students are not involved in inquiry- communications network; the learning is better
based education and in solving connected to the real world, the subject matter is
problems, but rather in tasks set by richer and includes material in different formats.
the teacher.
Motivation The students’ motivation is low, and The students’ motivation is high due to the
the subject matter is “distant” from involvement in matters that are closer to them and
them. to the use of technology.
Teacher’s Role The teacher is the authority. The teacher directs the student to the information.
Location of The learning takes place within the The learning takes place with no fixed location.
Learning classroom and the school.
Lesson The teacher dictates the structure The structure of the lesson is affected by the
Structure of the lesson and the division of group dynamics.
time.
Proctor [8] proposes a spectrum of E-Learning highlighted in figure 1.
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Contact learning Flexible learning Blended learning Online learning Distance learning

 0% Electronic 100% Electronic 

Figure 1: Spectrum of E-Learning
Analyzing the proposed spectrum the places of the Online learning and Distance
learning could be changed. Online learning is more closed to 100% Electronic learning
than the Distance learning. The Distance learning could be more effective if some lectures
or seminars are face-to-face delivered in the beginning of the course.
Why blended learning?
Blended learning (BL) systems combine face-to-face instruction with computer-
mediated instruction [1].
The definition reflects the idea that BL is the combination of instruction from two
historically separate models of teaching and learning: traditional face-to-face learning
systems and distributed learning systems. It also emphasizes the central role of computer-
based technologies in blended learning.
There are many reasons that an instructor, trainer, or learner might pick blended
learning over other learning options. Osguthorpe and Graham [7] identified six reasons
that one might choose to design or use a blended learning system: pedagogical richness,
access to knowledge, social interaction, personal agency, cost-effectiveness, and ease of
revision.
Blended learning has become increasingly important and is closely related to
distance learning and E-Learning. In spite of the many attractive advantages of
accessibility, flexibility, and cost savings of E-Learning, direct human contact, especially
the physical face-to-face interaction is missed in the learning process. Putting learning
materials online doesn’t make learning happen automatically. It is a big challenge to create
good E-Learning courses, and develop relevant learning skills and culture. Many people
and organizations returned to the face-to-face mode after experiencing frustrations with E-
Learning [6].
If the one-place-same-time traditional face-to-face classroom teaching fits at one end
of the spectrum of the learning delivery mode, then pure E-Learning fits on the other end.
Figure 2 reflects the spectrum of delivery modes in terms of time and space, and illustrates
the relationship among distance learning, E-Learning and blended learning.

One Place, Same

Multiple Places, Same Time and Different Time Anywhere, Anytime
time
Face-to-face
Classroom Teaching Distance Learning Pure E-Learning

Blended Learning

Figure 2: Spectrum of delivery modes

The results of some studies suggest that there are tradeoffs in the processes when
you compare blended and traditional learning. The authors believe that traditional
classrooms will continue to offer benefits that arguably cannot fully be obtained in any
other manner, but that any gaps in process effectiveness will continue to be narrowed as
technology becomes friendlier for both instructor and student [2].

How does learning online compare to traditional training methods?

In the Table 2 the comparison of the online and the traditional training methods is
done [14].
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Table 2: Learning online compared to traditional training methods

Blended Learning Traditional Classroom Learning

Study on your own schedule, anytime. Classes are on a fixed schedule.
Choose how long you study in each session. Each class session is for a fixed period of time.
Choose exactly what you need to study most. Follow a fixed curriculum.
All our teachers are qualified native speakers of Classroom teachers are not always native speakers
English. of English.
Students receive personalized feedback of their Teachers often do not have time to give personalized
progress, and vocabulary/grammar reminders after feedback to each student.
each class.
The Human Resources department receives a The Human Resources department receives a list of
detailed report on the course to allow them to student attendance and must presume the students
evaluate each student's progress. have learnt something.
Where appropriate, technology is used to enhance Classroom instruction does not often take advantage
the learning experience and improve retention. of technology.

According to many authors it is important to realise that there are advantages and
disadvantages with traditional versus E-Learning in delivering E-Learning. On the Figure 3
are given some of them.

Immediate
feedback Time and
Instructor- Motivating location
centred students flexibility Increased
Cultivation social preparation time
community for the Instructor
Time and location Available to global
constraints audiance Potentially more
frustration, anxiety
Being familiar teacher Both delivery methods are and confusion
and students using technology to enhance Learner-centred
More expensive to
deliver the learning process and self-paced Lack of immediate
feedback
The students can
DISADVANTAGES receive help from Cost-effective DISADVANTAGES
the instructor for learners
immediately

ADVANTAGES

TRADITIONAL
E-LEARNING
LEARNING

Figure 3: Advantages and disadvantages of the Traditional Learning versus E-Learning

CONCLUSIONS
When we are talking about the learning process in the universities, where the
E-Learning is more spread, we have deeply to analyze, according to the spatiality how to
deliver the knowledge to the students: traditional learning, blended learning or E-Learning.
Before commitment from Traditional learning to Blended learning or full Online learning a
thoroughly investigation has to be done.
Implementing of the E-Learning in the universities leads to growing of the teachers’
time for preparing the materials and decreasing the time spending face-to-face with the
students.
A major disadvantage to E-Learning is that the students need to have self-discipline.
While being able to work at your own pace can be an advantage, it can also be a
disadvantage. This is especially true for students who have difficulty with time

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management and procrastination. For these students the traditional classroom method is
more successful.
Today students have better basic computer and Internet skills and they prefer the
online learning methods, find more accessible the distance learning platforms and
consider the access to courses as being more facile.
The Literature review and analysis was done under the project: 142814-LLP-1-2008-
FR-ERASMUS-EN “Enhancing Lifelong Learning for the Electrical and Information
Engineering Community”.

REFERENCES
[1] Bonk, C. J., Graham, C. R., (2005). Handbook of blended learning: Global
Perspectives, local designs. San Francisco, CA: Pfeiffer Publishing.
[2] Chen, C., Jones, K. (2007). Blended Learning vs. Traditional Classroom Settings:
Assessing Effectiveness and Student Perceptions in an MBA Accounting Course. The
Journal of Educators Online, January 2007, Volume 4, Number 1.
[3] Gray Harriman Ltd. (2010). E-Learning Resources. [Online]. (URL
http://www.grayharriman.com/index.htm). (Accessed August 2010).
[4] Honey, P., Mumford A. (1982). The Manual of Learning Styles. Peter Honey
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[5] Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning
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[7] Osguthorpe, R. T., Graham, C. R. (2003). Blended learning systems: Definitions
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[8] Proctor, C. (2002). Proportion, Pedagogy and Processes: The Three P’s of E-
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[9] Rashty, D. Traditional Learning vs. eLearning, Mount St. Mary's College. [Online].
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[11] Rogers, C. R., Frieberg, H. (1999). Freedom to Learn Third Edition. Macmillan
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[12] Ross, J., Schulz, R.(1999). Can computer-aided instruction accommodate all
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[13] Sadler-Smith, E. (1996). Learning styles: a holistic approach. Journal of
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[14] TJTaylor Ltd. Corporate English Language Training. [Online]. (URL
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[15] Wall, J., Smit, et al. (2005). An International Comparison Of E-Learning In Action
– An Interactive Graphical on Line Teaching Resources for Residential Construction in
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Research Week 2005, 4-5 July 2005, Brisbane.

For contacts:
Nina Bencheva, PhD, Telecommunications Dept., Ruse University “Angel Kanchev”,
tel.: 082-888 823, e-mail: [email protected]

The paper has been reviewed.

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