Does e-learning improve academic performance? A considerable amount of research over the last few years has confirmed the relationship between learning styles and academic success. In the digital age, e-learning and academic performance are closely intertwined. Online education has become an invaluable tool with which to enhance student performance. In this article, we will explore the multiple ways in which e-learning contributes to improving academic performance, analysing its advantages.
We all tend to act in different ways in different aspects of our lives, as well as in the learning process. Students assimilate knowledge in different ways: they have their own ideas and they react differently to the same stimulus. In addition, academic studies have demonstrated that each student has an inclination towards a determined cognitive strategy that helps give significance to the new information.
These preferences when it comes to compiling, interpreting, organizing and thinking of the new acquired concepts have been denominated by the experts as styles of learning.
According to Peter Honey and Allan Mumford’s model, there are four types of learning:
- Activist: This refers to the people that have an active attitude and who like to get entirely engaged in activity-based learning. They tend to thrive on the challenge of new experiences; they like group work and they usually get bored with long-term consolidation.
- Reflector: This profile likes to deal with new experiences but doesn’t like to be implicated in them. They tend to collect and analyze data in detail to think about it thoroughly before coming to a conclusion. In addition, they enjoy observing other people and listening to them, but they do not like intervening until they are perfectly in control of the situation.
- Theorist: The theorists learn the most when they follow a system, model, theory or concept. They find passion for analyzing and synthesizing. For them, the more logical the better.
- Pragmatic: They positively search out new ideas and take the first opportunity to experiment with them. They get impatient when people in a group tend to theorize a lot. Their main objective is to keep on practicing.
How e-learning affects learning styles and academic performance
Several experts have found evidence that presenting information through different approaches leads to more effective teaching. However, when it comes to adapting traditional training materials to the different learning styles of students, educators may find certain difficulties. This could imply a serious threat to the quality of teaching. By not being able to accommodate the learning style preferences of all your students, you are losing the effectiveness and excellence that you would otherwise have had.
Online training is without a doubt the solution to problems that traditional teaching cannot deal with to. E-learning, in addition to overcoming the usual barriers that make learning difficult – such as geographical distance, the problems of reconciling study with work and family life or the difficulty of adapting supply to demand – allows the content to be adapted to the learning style of each student, so that higher quality in teaching is obtained.
However, not all training content or e-learning platforms are developed in such a way that they can be adapted to the specific needs of each training area or personal need.
Selecting a provider with experience in the design and development of content that is specially designed for online learning, that applies the correct structure and the appropriate technological tools and integrated resources, is essential in order to achieve effective improvements in academic performance. Flexibility and adaptability combined with personalisation are the key advantages of e-learning in improving academic performance.
Flexibility and adaptability
The key to success in learning is adaptability and e-learning guarantees effectiveness in training. Students can access study materials online anytime and from anywhere. This flexibility allows learning to be adapted to individual needs, creating an optimal environment for academic performance. E-learning allows the personalisation of learning in an unprecedented way. With the help of algorithms and data analysis, educational platforms can design a study plan adapted to the skills and needs of each student. This encourages more effective learning and ultimately improves academic performance.
Personalisation of learning
E-learning allows the personalisation of learning in a way which is unprecedented in traditional training. With the help of algorithms and data analysis, educational platforms can design a study plan adapted to the skills and needs of each student. This encourages more effective learning and ultimately improves academic performance. Furthermore, thanks to artificial intelligence with features such as the Dexway virtual tutor, your students learn on a more individual level, being able to delve deeper into the aspects in which each of them needs help.
Interaction and collaboration
Once students immerse themselves in the world of e-learning, interaction and collaboration are not far behind. Online interaction fosters deeper, longer-lasting learning. Discussion forums, video conferencing, and educational social media allow students to connect with peers and teachers, enriching the learning experience.
#1 Online learning communities
The creation of online learning communities is a significant advantage of e-learning. Students can collaborate on projects, solve problems together, and share resources. This interaction fosters engagement and promotes the mastery of concepts, which, in turn, results in improved academic performance. Dexway language courses have student communities with conversation groups that allow their students to practise and collaborate with each other.
#2 Personalised online tutoring
E-learning allows access to personalised online tutoring. Students can receive individualised support, which is especially beneficial for those who struggle with certain issues. Online tutors can adapt their approaches to address the specific needs of each student, resulting in significant improvement in academic performance.
#3 Variety of multimedia resources
This type of training offers a variety of multimedia resources, such as videos, simulations, and interactive content. These resources help students understand and retain information more effectively. The combination of text, images and audios enriches the learning experience and ultimately contributes to better academic performance.
Continuous evaluation and instant feedback
Evaluation in e-learning is continuous and accompanied by instant feedback. Students can take tests and complete practical exercises online, allowing them to constantly measure their progress. Immediate feedback helps them identify areas for improvement and take corrective action, improving their academic performance.
#1 Self-management of learning
E-learning encourages the self-management of learning. Students are responsible for their own progress and learning. This is a valuable skill and is reflected in stronger academic performance as students develop both their organisational and self-discipline skills.
#2 Data for continuous improvement
E-learning platforms collect data on student performance. This data can be used to make improvements to course content and delivery. This ensures that e-learning becomes increasingly effective and that students benefit from constant updates.
E-learning and improved academic performance go hand in hand, providing significant advantages for students. Flexibility, personalisation, interaction, multimedia resources, continuous evaluation and self-management of learning are key elements that drive academic success. Taking advantage of these positive aspects not only improves academic performance, but also prepares students for an ever-evolving future. E-learning is more than a trend, it is an essential tool in modern education.
CAE’s Educational Platforms
Nonetheless, neither all the course contents nor eLearning solutions are developed so that they can adapt to the specific needs of each business area or personal need. The selection of an experienced provider in the design and developing online educational training courses is fundamental to achieve effective improvements in academic performance. For over 40 years, Computer Aided ELearning (CAE) has been innovating technology applied in the courses. Our eLearning solutions allow you:
- #1 to use multimedia materials and interactivity
- #2 easily updated information and the possibility to access SCORM contents at anytime and from anywhere.
- #3 immediate feedback from our tutors and other
- #4 tracking tools will be provided so that the tutors can rapidly verify if the student responds positively to the method and achieve the objectives set at the beginning of the course.
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