Rapid technology changes result in a tremendous need for ongoing professional education, but less available time to pursue it. Electronic classroom sessions, web pages, library systems, interactive forums and e-mail are used in place of direct classroom instruction. A recent study used Kolb's Theory of Learning to investigate how a student's learning style affects her performance in an online learning environment. The study found that some students are less likely to have success in a distance education program. Kolb's theory of learning Kolb uses a learning style inventory to measure a student's preference for four learning strategies.
Concrete experience emphasizes personal experience and feelings.
When using this strategy, the student is adaptable to change and open-minded when approaching problems. Abstract conceptualization requires the student to logically analyze ideas and systematically approach a task. Reflective observation relies on personal thoughts and feelings, especially patience, careful judgment and understanding the problem from various points of view. Active experimentation focuses on what works, and what doesn't work. These four learning strategies combine into a score for two scales.