Examine the Benefits, Drawbacks of Online Learning for Introverts
For students like Kelly Dyer, who classifies himself as an introvert, taking online courses could be a great choice. The May 2015 graduate from the security studies master's degree program at Kansas State University enrolled in online courses as he pursued a graduate certificate in public administration.
Dyer immediately recognized the contrast between the in-person and online learning environments: In the former, he had to respond to questions on the fly, but in the latter, he could really prepare what he wanted to say. Introverts like Dyer tend to be more reflective and really think through their ideas or answers to questions, especially when it comes to learning, experts say.
"During my first online class, I found out that I could take the time to construct my thoughts, craft an argument and then present it -- post it -- to the rest of the class for that week," the 24-year-old said via email. "That was really beneficial for me."
Experts agree that online education certainly has its benefits for introverts, particularly when it comes to partaking in group discussions and thriving in more personal settings. Introverts are also usually good listeners and can better express themselves through their writing rather than verbally.
Still, online education has its drawbacks for introverts as well. Experts say it's important for introverted prospective online students to examine both the positives and negatives of distance learning when deciding whether to pursue a fully online, blended or in-person program.
[Learn to decide between online, blended courses.]
Introversion, which experts say appears on a spectrum, is different from shyness, which tends to have negative connotations, says Heidi Kasevich, who leads education-related efforts for Quiet Revolution, an organization that aims to unlock the power of introverts in society.
"Introversion has to do with the amount of stimulation an individual enjoys and thrives on," says Kasevich. "Introverts prefer much less stimulating environments than extroverts."
The most obvious benefit of online learning for introverts centers on class participation, experts say, because in many online courses, students have more time to answer questions.
"You don't have this notion of a 10-second wait time from a teacher to have to respond to; you can respond an hour later or a day later -- whenever you feel you have contemplated on the idea enough," says Curt Bonk, professor of education at Indiana University--Bloomington and author of "The World is Open: How Web Technology is Revolutionizing Education."
In many online classes, discussions involve more than just speaking -- a variety that introverts usually prefer, Kasevich says. This was the case for Dyer, who says that in the face-to-face classroom, his grades would occasionally dip because of a lack of oral participation.
[Discover how to ace discussion board assignments in an online class.]
"As long as I met the expectation for posting and I put together a somewhat coherent argument, I always got A's," he says of his online class experience.
Among introverts, Kasevich says, "solitude is a catalyst for innovation." This is another reason why online learning could be an excellent choice: Students can choose to attend class in a quiet location.
Bonk, of Indiana University, says the fact that online classes generally present information in multiple formats makes introverts feel more confident in what they have learned, as they are generally more comfortable absorbing content expressed in various fashions.
Still, when it comes to online learning, introverts should still be cautious. George Veletsianos, an associate professor at Royal Roads University in Canada who researches digital learning environments, says students shouldn't assume that just because the class is online, it definitely won't have a live discussion component.
[Explore how to choose between live, self-paced online courses.]
"It's also possible that the course is designed in such a way that it is built as a three-hour, virtual real-time class where one is engaged in discussions throughout that time, which can be draining to people," he says.
Even in an online environment, there are some disadvantages for introverts. Because an introvert is likely depending more on writing than speaking, there's always the chance of being misinterpreted, and in those cases, it may be easier to interact on the phone or in person, says Jennifer Kahnweiler, author of "The Genius of Opposites" and other books about introverts.
There's also the danger of depending too much on online learning, experts say. It's important for introverts to put themselves in social situations and get out of their comfort zones, especially as they transition into workplace settings.
In terms of whether the benefits of online learning outweigh the drawbacks for introverts or vice versa, many experts say blended learning or a combination of in-person and online classes might be the best path.
"You want to also tap into learning through that magic of live conversation," Kahnweiler says.
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Jordan Friedman is an online education editor at U.S. News. You can follow him on Twitter or email him at jfriedman@usnews.com.
