Abstract:

E-learning is a rapidly growing industry with a large number of users around the globe. The learning process of e-learning mainly depends on different learning techniques of instructional materials provided in the learning environment. Learning materials are the key component of comprehending information in an e-learning environment. Thus, it is vital to develop e-learning learning materials that are beneficial for the target learners. Different learners have different preferences in learning. Several learning style models have proposed over the years to define the different characteristics of different types of learners. This paper describes seven such learning style models and define learner characteristics focused on each of these models. Then the defined characteristics of each learner style in all seven learning style models are tabularized to emphasize the overlaps of learner characteristics focused in different learning style models. As the next step, a list of unique learner characteristics with reference to learning styles was defined using the information in the table with all learner characteristics. This paper also defines features available in e-learning materials. At present, MOOCs (Massive Open Online Course) can be defined as the key pillar of e-learning. Thus, several MOOCs provided by Coursera platform were analyzed to derive features of e-learning materials or e-learning environments. The identified unique learner characteristics of learning styles are then mapped with the list of features in learning materials in an e-learning environment. The final result of this research is a checklist which can be used by e-learning content developers to classify how the instructional materials are effective for the target learners. This checklist defines the satisfied learning styles of all seven learning style models by each identified feature of e-learning instructional materials. It can be used as a guideline for e-learning content developers to determine the features that has to be included in the learning materials to provide an effective learning environment for the target learners.

Keywords:

e-learning, learning styles, learner characteristics, instructional materials, instructional materials checklist.