E-Content Presentation based on Learning Styles

Abstract

The design and development of electronic contents has become a major area of concern in today's modern distance education system. It has opened up many opportunities, at the same time, facing challenges in a localized distant learning environment. These challenges demand to address the needs of local learners by taking into consideration their profiles and learning styles. This paper presents a model of content presentation based on learning styles. The model proposes a combination of multimedia electronic courseware tailored using visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning style theory. Three formats of contents are proposed to fulfill the dynamic needs of learners. The dimensions of visual, auditory and kinesthetic are selected in the light of perceptual modalities. The survey module investigates the profiles and learning styles of students and learning algorithm presents the specialized contents based on their learning styles. The survey and content presentation modules are integrated with delivery tools of an open source Learning Management System. The model is implemented on a course offered at Allama Iqbal Open University, Pakistan. The result of the course offered with the supplement of specialized contents is made with the same course offered in previous semesters when traditional materials were provided to students. The test results highlight the improved performance of students using e-content as compared to the previous results. The satisfaction of students about content presentation and navigation control is also analyzed. The analysis reveals positive feedback of students about specially prepared e-contents.