The Impact of Choice in Learning

Reference:

Murphy, J., Farrell, K., & Myers, J. (2024). Student choice in online asynchronous higher education courses. In Proceedings of the [Conference Name if known]. ACM. https://doi.org/10.1145/3760213.3708894

Annotation:

The article explores how offering students choices in online asynchronous higher education courses enhances engagement, autonomy, and relevance. Drawing from theories like constructivism, self-determination, and andragogy, the authors argue that allowing flexibility in content, process, and product supports deeper learning and motivation. A pilot study with undergraduate and graduate students found that choice particularly strengthened connections to career goals, encouraged authentic learning experiences, and increased satisfaction. The findings suggest that structured opportunities for choice can transform courses into learner-centered environments that foster agency, self-regulation, and practical application.

Murphy, Farrell, and Myers (2024) does a good job of clearly connecting theory to practice by showing how student choice can improve engagement in online learning. The use of a pilot study with both undergraduates and graduate students gives it a practical angle that helps support the claims, even if the sample size is modest. The mix of quantitative survey results and qualitative student feedback adds depth and makes the findings feel more grounded. Overall, the article is well organized and easy to follow, making complex ideas accessible without being overly technical.

The ideas in this article translate well into workplace training and curriculum design because they highlight the importance of giving adults meaningful choices in how they learn. In professional settings, employees bring diverse experiences, learning preferences, and career goals, so offering flexibility in content, process, and product can make training more relevant and motivating. The emphasis on autonomy and authentic application resonates strongly with adult learning in the workplace, where practical connections often matter more than abstract theory. This approach supports consultants and trainers in creating programs that not only build skills but also encourage ownership, engagement, and long-term growth.