David H. Jonassen

Barbara L. Grabowski

Written for teachers, trainers, and instructional designers -- anyone who is responsible for designing or preparing instruction -- this book begins with one basic premise: individual differences mediate learning at all levels and in all situations. That is, some learners find it easier or more difficult to learn some skills or to learn from certain forms of instruction because they vary in terms of aptitude, cognitive styles, personality, or learning styles. This volume describes most of the major differences in a readable and accessible way and demonstrates how to design various forms of instruction and predict the ease with which learners will acquire different skills. Most books that discuss any learner differences focus on those that characterize special education populations, whereas this book focuses on normal learners. Designed as a handbook, this volume is structured to provide easy and consistent access to information and answers, and prescriptions and hypotheses. When definitive answers are not possible because there is no research documentation, the authors suggest theories designed to stimulate future research.

Handbook of Individual Differences, Learning, and Instruction

Insung Jung

Gila Kurtz

Michael Beaudoin

Katsuaki Suzuki

The book identifies a set of validated competencies and performance statements, withsupporting explanation and data to inform and equip online learners with the critical attitudes, knowledge and skills for successful learning in online and/or blended learning settings. The work also enables online education providers (e.g., instructors, course designers, program administrators, scholars) to better understand learner needs in order to design and deliver online education products and services best suited to learners. Supplementing a large number of anecdotally-based “how to” books published for those engaged in online education, this volume offers a definitive set of 14 competencies and 75 performance statements (that demonstrate those competencies). Validated by systematic research and input from over 1,000 online users and providers worldwide, this work should impact the quality of learning and teaching at both the individual and organizational levels, involved in online education.

Barbara L. Grabowski

Books

Your next favorite book is out there