Cultural Differences Of Online Learning

The need for higher education has prompted many students to seek further studies in international colleges outside their countries and Australia has become an academic hub for international students who mostly come from developing nations in Asia and Africa. The students, once they secure a place in this schools, they are subjected to a new environment which comes with different challenges. International students in Australia have become an integral part of the society both social and economical. However the students face a myriad of challenges before fully adopting to the new learning culture. In

Uncertainty avoidance indicates how threatened a society will be by ambiguous contexts and the degree to which it will attempt to avoid these situations by not tolerating deviant ideas or behaviours, and a belief in absolute truths[4]. This ambiguity leads to anxiety. Different cultures manage this anxiety in different manners. A High Uncertainty Avoidance ranking indicates the country has a low tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity. This creates a rule-oriented society that implements laws, rules, regulations, and controls in order avoid uncertainty. A Low Uncertainty Avoidance ranking indicates the country is less worried about doubt and is more comfortable taking into account a wide variety of views and opinions. This is mirrored in a society that is

new culture of learning (Boshier, 2006, p.11). This new culture of learning can involve online

Dabbagh, N. (2007). The online learner: characteristics and pedagogical implications. Contemporary Issuesin Technology and Teacher Education, 7, 3, 217–226.

To obtain answers to the concerns previously listed, an 8 week study of students in an online class was conducted. This study consisted of monitoring online communication and classroom activity among students with different backgrounds with geographical location and age being two of the main contributing factors.

Many students have a difficult time choosing between online education and traditional education. Both styles of education offer advantages and disadvantages to the student. There are many things to consider when making this life altering decision, such as, cost, convenience, time, social interaction, and technology. This information is meant to inform prospective students looking to further their education of the pros and cons of both online education and traditional education. Taking the steps to further your education is a big decision and one that should not be taken lightly. One should weigh all of his/her options and be well informed and certain of their choice before taking that leap.

Goodfellow, R., & Lamy, M. (Eds.). (2009). Learning Cultures in Online Education. London, GBR: Continuum International Publishing. Retrieved from

The Levin Institute describes how online schools are gaining traction with Global K12 curriculums as the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum includes as many as 141 countries. Global curriculums provide the opportunity for international education. Advances in technology provide some classrooms with access to materials and content and opportunities to connect at the international level. High-Speed Internet and computers are providing students an opportunity to expand beyond the classroom and establish

Currently, students around the country, even the world, have the choice to either attend a class face-to-face with a teacher inside a classroom or computer-generated classes in online colleges or Universities. Even though they are similar, the differences between the two are somewhat remarkable. Obviously both types of learning require instructions and some form of assessment and they differ in terms of the learning process and communication.

I chose to discuss Online Learning vs. Traditional Learning for this final project. Since 1999, the debate on the differences and similarities between traditional and online learning has been ongoing. Notably, this was the time when institutes began to use internet as a way of conveying distant education. Despite the differences that are there, it is worth noting that they are being narrowed down since technology is emerging prevalently. These facts beg the question; how do the two learning formats differ and what can one expect during transition to eLearning? Before seeking answers to this question, it is worth mentioning that I chose this topic because even though I am currently taking online classes, I wanted to research and learn more about the different benefits of online learning. Also, I am interested in researching on the major differences between online learning and traditional learning.

Distance learning (education) has become an integral part of the education process over the past few decades and is growing in popularity as technology advances.(Willis 1992) describes distance education (as) "the organizational framework andprocess of providing instruction at a distance. Distance education takes place when ateacher and student(s) are physically separated, and technology…(is) used to bridge theinstruction gap." (Coutts 1996). Furthermore, "distance learning activities are designedto fit the specific context for learning, the nature of the subject matter; intended learningoutcomes, needs and goals of the learner, the learner's environment and the instructional echnologies and methods." (American

When a person thinks of someone going to college they probably imagine them walking across a large campus or sitting in a lecture hall among other students. While this is the way many people do choose to attend college, there are also those who have chosen to get their degree in an online setting. Online learning gives people the opportunity to get their education in a way that is more flexible and can fit in with their daily lives. Though both are reputable forms of higher educations, there are distinct differences between learning in a tradition classroom and learning in an online setting.

On the other hand, an online course permits students the option and availability to enroll in a vast array of course choices regardless of their location. In so doing, it allows a student a unique opportunity to further their education anywhere in the world. After all, if one is in the United States or on a military base in Japan students can still attain an education from their home country and in their mother tongue via the Internet. However, lessons that take place in a physical classroom are confined to that location. Thus, students situated within the nearby vicinity of the school building typically can access the instructor’s lessons. Consequently, this creates a clear disadvantage to any student residing outside of the classroom’s surrounding area.

education is a better way for students to survive in the future. In my essay, I will

Although the application of online learning has increased rapidly, little is known about students ' perspectives and preferences. Students, as participants in the educational process, play an important part in the learning environment and have a good vantage point that should be given adequate attention (Fraser, 1998; Houston & Bettencourt, 1999). As the data shown in the research carried by