Theory of Online Learning
The theory of online learning involves implementing both traditional and new learning theories within an online educational environment. Although not an exhaustive list, examples of online-learning theories are: social-cognitive development theory, minimalist-learning theory, constructivist theory and democratic-learning theory.
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Communication and Online-Learning Theory
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Online-learning theory is concerned with applying learning models to online environments. How students learn and process information may be similar; however, the forums in where students can learn are various, online learning being one of them.
Online-learning environments present both interesting challenges and opportunities when trying to bridge the gap between traditional learning theories and new technologies. For example, students socially interacting with each other through constructive discourse and active participation are significant elements required for learning to occur. In effect, virtual environments are able to compensate for their lack of physical social interaction with other alternatives: for example, email, voice-over-internet-protocol, message boards and document-sharing platforms that assist in facilitating social interaction.
Theory of Social-Cognitive Development
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Theories relating to social-cognitive development posit that socially engaging and interacting with your environment plays essential roles in developing cognitive functions. According to Tharp & Gallimore's research in "Theory of Social Cognitive Development," social-cognitive development occurs in four stages: guidance through learning material by teachers, self-direction occurs, claiming ownership of new information through internalization and a return to prior stages just mentioned to facilitate a crystallization of the learning material.
An online-learning environment integrates social-cognitive development theories in a variety of ways. For example, students within virtual environments may experience online learning in four stages: (1) They're introduced and coached through new assignments by I.T. communication platforms. (2) Followed by students taking responsibilities and participating as a group to complete assignments. (3) Students are assigned various repetitive tasks corresponding to information desirable for immediate recall. (4) Students eventually will be recycled back through these stages until the course is completed. -
Minimalist-Learning Theory
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Minimalist learning theory involves assigning and portioning tasks specific to tightly focused activities assisting students to achieve competence through self-discovery. For example, as oppose to assigning an overwhelming amount of assignments, an incremental reading strategy can be employed online by: reducing a chapter into multiple sections, having students read one section at a time and allowing students to discover for themselves meaningful conclusions through vigorous question-and-answer sessions.
Constructivist Online-Learning Theory
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Constructivists online learning theory involves leveraging and harnessing a student's prior experiences to integrate new ideas and information to real-world problems. For example, online students may post comments to a case study and participate in ongoing discussions on an online message board. This intellectual contribution, information archiving and adding to information to a case study results in constructing a large body of knowledge (online) and enhancing the learning process overall.
Democratic Online Learning
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Democratic online learning involves implementing a voting system in which students participate in influencing the direction of what tasks are assigned and what learning strategies to employ as a group. Online democratic learning environments can stir up activity in virtual environments, encouraging a robust exchange of ideas and constructive conflict as opposed to students falling into complacency due to lack of physical social interactions.
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