Are Older Students Better at Learning Online?
Monday May 18, 2009
Younger students tend to be more familiar with the technology used in online instruction, but that doesn't mean they're more successful in virtual courses.
In a recent Inside Higher Ed article, online teacher Rob Weir argues that older students make better online learners:
Do you think age is a determinant in online learning success? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
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In a recent Inside Higher Ed article, online teacher Rob Weir argues that older students make better online learners:
"Younger students love the idea of online courses, but they are often the worst students -- despite their greater facility with technology. Yahoo! runs ads for 'Why online college is rocking,' and that’s part of the problem. Online education is being sold as if it’s for everyone, when those finding real success are those who are self-motivated, highly organized, and in possession of well-developed study habits?...Younger students approach online classes as if they’re just another 'cool' thing to do on the Web. Be prepared to badger them if you want them to get through your course."Students with experience meeting deadlines are certainly at an advantage. But, I'd argue that most young students are beyond enrolling in a program because they think it's 'cool.'
Do you think age is a determinant in online learning success? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
See Also:
Comments
I don’t think its a matter of age rather than good study habits. The basic observation is that online courses are a lot more difficult to complete successfully than regular school courses.
The age thing may be simply a matter of survivorship bias — there are more people over 30 than there are under 30. So, if only a small percentage of both groups can be successful online, a professor may think that older people are better at online courses.