Determining Which Delivery Styles are Best Suited for Instructing in the Distance Learning Environment

The purpose of this study was to ascertain if there is a specific style of teaching which is better suited for the distance learning (virtual) environment, as opposed to the traditional classroom environment. Numerous studies have shown that individuals have different delivery styles in the classroom. The study utilized instructor delivery styles and faculty perceptions of distance learning programs to develop an instrument which identifies the style that would be more successful in the distance learning environment. The study employed an author developed instrument, which included a derivative of the Kolb Learning Style Inventory (LSI) instrument, to determine the teaching style of the instructor. Results of the study concluded that while there will always be exceptions, the instrument developed in the study will provide an indication of which instructors are better suited for the virtual environment.