Individual Differences: Implications for Web-Based Learning Design

Abstract

In the past ten years the Web has attracted many educators for purposes of teaching and learning. The main advantage of the Web lies in its non-linear interaction. That is, students can have more control over their learning paths. However, this freedom of control may cause, for some students problems such as disorientation, cognitive overload and control problems. To investigate these problems researchers have shifted there focus towards finding how is web-based learning used by learners with different characteristics and styles. In this paper, we outline the findings of some research on individual differences in the context of web-based learning. We also address how webbased learning systems can be adapted to learners ’ needs and styles. And then we suggest an adaptive web-based learning model, based on the analysis of findings obtained from these studies. Individual differences, web-based learning, instructional strategies, education computer, learners ’ needs, learning style