Do Learning Styles Enhance the Academic Performance of University Students? A Case Study

Previous studies have shown that emotion is crucial in student learning. However, most studies in the e-learning environment have yet to consider emotion as part of learning that could lead to successful learning. Thus, this study explored the relationship between student emotion state, emotion sequences, and student learning experience. A preliminary data collection was conducted to explore the relationship between emotional experience and student learning experience, which involved 16 students. Students were asked to learn a programming subject in an e-learning environment. E-learning is designed to store the students' emotional experience and activity during learning. The sequential pattern mining technique was used to extract the data, exploratory data analysis was conducted to visualize the emotional trajectory during the learning process, and regression analysis was used to explain the relationship between students' emotional learning experiences. The results showed that emotional experience might affect student experience in learning. In one-sequence emotion, all emotion states contributed to the learning experience with p-values < 0.01 except for neutral and disgust with p-values < 0.05. The one-sequence emotion model shows R-squared = 0.585; Adj. R-squared = 0.734; F-statistic = 6.920; Prob (F-statistic) = 0.00702. Meanwhile, in two-sequence emotion, none of the emotion sequences contributed to the student learning experience. Lastly, three-sequence emotion models also showed that most sequences did not influence student learning experience. The only sequence of emotions that influenced the student learning experience was surprise-neutral-surprise. These results suggest that emotion should be considered in learning design as it can influence student experience.

<span>Individuals learn in different ways using several learning styles, but lecturers may not always share material and learning experiences that match students’ learning preferences. Mismatches between learning and teaching styles can lead to disappointment with students are taking, and lead to underperformance among them. The aim of this study is to identify the learning styles of the students enrolled in Universiti Malaysia Pahang who were registered in Programming Technique course and to investigate the relationship between students’ learning styles and teachers’ teaching styles. Five lecturers and 251 students were involved in the study as participants and. Data from students were collected using Leonard, Enid’s VAK Learning Style Survey. Meanwhile, the teaching styles of the lecturers were identified using Grasha and Reichmann’s Teaching Style Survey. The findings revealed that majority of the student’s preferred visual learning style. The result also shows that the lecturers’ teaching styles give an impact towards the <br /> students’ academic performance. From this study, we can conclude that teaching styles have significant impacts on students’ learning styles and academic performances.</span>

Learning styles based education is becoming influential at higher education institutions around the world. Learning styles are characteristics of how students prefer to learn; they draw their origin from both biological and experiential conditions that make each student unique in the way he/she learns. An important first step in improving learning is to identify or assess students’ learning styles, and there are several instruments that can be used for this purpose. This is necessary for teachers and students who wish to improve learning and study strategies. Students who perform poorly in a conventional educational setting may suffer from a mismatch of learning and teaching styles; for example kinesthetic learners may not adapt to learning by listening or by reading. When we teach tactual and/or kinesthetic students by talking, they focus for only a brief amount of time and then wander off into their own thoughts and quickly forget (Burke & Dunn, 2002). We can improve students’ academic performance by providing them with alternative strategies and activities that respond to their learning style needs (Dunn & Dunn, 1993). In spring 2008, the learning styles of over 700 Zayed University students were assessed using the BE (Building Excellence) survey developed by Rundle & Dunn. The data collected is being analyzed with a view to making recommendations for teachers, students and parents to improve students’ learning. This paper represents the first in a series of publications on this subject; it reviews the survey process, and focuses on the nature and learning preferences of ZU students in perceptual elements (e.g. visual, auditory) and cognitive elements (e.g. Analytic-sequential (left-brain) vs. Global-simultaneous (right-brain) preferences).

The world of education has undergone a major shift as a result of advances in information and communication technology. This study compares conventional and digital learning methods for distance learning (PJJ) across the board, with the aim of finding out what is effective, what is not effective, and how the two methods affect student learning outcomes and experiences. Conventional learning, which relies on direct interaction between teachers and students, emphasizes elements such as giving feedback, easy to do, structured, and routine. It has the advantage of being able to facilitate direct interpersonal communication, provide intensive supervision and guidance, and create a competitive learning environment. However, this method has some limitations, especially in terms of time and space flexibility. It is also not able to meet the learning needs of individuals in large groups. On the other hand, digital learning offers greater flexibility, access to a wide range of educational resources, and increased interactivity through the use of online collaboration tools, e-learning platforms, and video conferencing. The use of technology allows learning content to be presented in a systematic, structured and engaging manner, increasing student motivation and participation. In addition, it allows materials to be tailored to each student's learning style and conditions, and supports collaborative and independent learning. Challenges include the possibility of misuse of technology, limited access in some areas, lack of direct social interaction, and reliance on digital infrastructure and capabilities. The research results indicate that digital learning generally enhances student learning outcomes more significantly compared to conventional learning, especially in terms of distance learning (PJJ). Digital strategies such as structured instructional design, integration of practical experiences, motivational support, and time management have been shown to improve student interaction, understanding, and independence. However, digital and conventional learning methods can complement each other to achieve optimal effectiveness. The application of these strategies not only boosts students' academic performance but also equips them with the essential skills to tackle future challenges.

Background Our study aimed to examine the effects of COVID-19 on the physical fitness and academic performance of Chinese college students. Participants The sample included physical fitness test data from 9,712 undergraduate students and academic performance data from 12,000 undergraduate students at a top university in China. Methods Physical fitness was measured and evaluated according to the Chinese National Student Physical Fitness Standard. Data were analyzed using two-sample t-tests and Pearson product-moment correlations. Results Total physical fitness test scores of college students decreased after the outbreak, but their mean body mass index (BMI) remained at normal levels. The mean academic performance of college students unexpectedly improved during the online learning period. The positive correlation between physical test scores and academic performance was significantly higher during COVID-19 than that before the outbreak. Conclusions Chinese college students with high physical fitness during COVID-19 were more likely to achieve good academic performance.

Learning is a complex construct that involves several factors, mainly the interaction between teachers and students in the process of teaching and learning. Understanding how students learn and which factors influence academic performance is essential information for lesson planning and evaluation, in addition to allowing a better use of students’ learning potential and outcomes. The ability to constructively modify one’s behavior depends on how well we combine our experiences, reflections, conceptualizations, and planning to make improvements. This seems particularly relevant in medical education, where students are expected to retain, recall, and apply vast amounts of information assimilated throughout their training period. Over the years, there has being a gradual shift in medical education from a passive learning approach to an active learning approach. To support the learning environment, educators need to be aware of the different learning styles of their students to effectively tailor instructional strategies and methods to cater to students’ learning needs. However, the space for reflection on the process of teaching is still incipient in higher-education institutions in Brazil. The present article proposes a critical review of the importance of identifying students’ learning styles in undergraduate medical education. Different models exist for assessing learning styles. Different styles can coexist in equilibrium (multimodal style) or predominate (unimodal style) in the same individual. Assessing students’ learning styles can be a useful tool in education, once it is possible to analyze with what kind of learning students can better develop themselves, improving their knowledge and influencing positively in the process of learning. Over the last century, medical education experienced challenges to improve the learning process and curricular reform. Also, this has resulted in crucial changes in the field of medical education, with a shift from a teacher centered and subject based teaching to the use of interactive, problem based, student centered learning.

Introduction. The article examines the influence of various factors on the academic performance of university students. The purpose of the article is to identify the degree of influence of various factors on first-year university students’ academic performance taking into account their gender. The study is based on students’ self-assessment. Materials and Methods. The methodological basis of the research was the articles of Russian and foreign scholars devoted to the factors affecting the academic performance of university students (A. Alhadabi, H. W. Brink, Y. García, H. G. Hidajat, E. V. Krekhovets, F. Moradi, N. S. Nurieva, A. O. Ryazhkin, V. N. Shlyapnikov, D. R. Valeeva, S. D. Vaulin, S. V. Yaroshevskaya, I. Živčić-Bećirević and etc.). The empirical study was carried out at Tyumen State University. The sample consisted of 232 first-year students of various fields of study, including 101 males and 131 females. Results. The analysis of the scholarly literature on the research problem enabled the authors to identify the factors that influence the academic performance of university students and propose a classification of these factors. Based on students’ self-assessment, the degree of influence of each of the selected factors on their academic performance was determined. Significant differences in the assessment of the influence of a few factors on academic performance related to the students’ gender were revealed. According to the self-assessment of students, the competence of academic staff has the strongest influence on their academic performance. Within the framework of the proposed classification of factors, the most important for students was a group of factors related to their personal characteristics. Factors related to randomness and academic fraud were ranked among the least important. Intrinsic motivation as a factor influencing academic performance turned out to be more important than extrinsic positive and extrinsic negative motivation. Conclusions. The experimental data show that women, to a greater extent than men, associate their academic performance with external factors (teachers’ competence, learning environment, study facilities), or with their innate personality traits (intellectual abilities, memory characteristics and attention, emotional balance). For men, a more significant factor in academic performance is relying on their own strengths and expectations of success from their efforts. At the same time, their academic performance is more determined by the social environment at the university.

The problem and the aim of the study. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a worldwide emergency, with consequences for more than just physical health, including mental health and educational outcomes. University students are particularly vulnerable since they are dealing with a number of challenges at once, such as the health effects of the pandemic both directly and indirectly, the sudden shift to online schooling, and doubts about their future employment opportunities. Critical to understanding the far-reaching effects of the pandemic on student lives, learning processes, and mental health is research into COVID-19-related psychological anxiety and its impact on academic performance in higher education. This research subject seeks to investigate the extent to which college students are anxious about the COVID-19 pandemic and how this unusual stressor affects their participation in class, grades, and general satisfaction with their education. By looking at it from this perspective, we may identify the many ways in which the epidemic has affected the future generation of researchers and professionals, and then develop strategies to help them cope with the difficulties they will face. Research methods. The study employed a correlational descriptive approach to investigate the psychological distress caused by the COVID-19 epidemic and its influence on the academic performance of university students in Jordan. The sample consisted of 300 undergraduates (male and female) from the College of Educational and Psychological Sciences at Amman Arab University in the 2021–2022 school year, with the entire student body serving as the population. The survey tool was distributed online via social media, leading to 379 respondents, and a chance sample was used because it was feasible to reach a large number of participants—especially during the pandemic. Results. The study results show a detailed range of stress and worry, with average scores varying from 2.8 to 4.1 among 25 items. Major concerns involve social isolation, indicated by an average score of 4.1 for feeling alienated because of social distancing measures, and academic disruptions, with an average score of 4.0 for experiencing a lack of control over academic life owing to the pandemic. There is a significant gender gap between the reported levels of anxiety and its effect on academic performance; 40% of female students and 30% of male students express high levels of anxiety, and the average academic impact score for female students is 3.0 while the average score for male students is 2.5. The data also shows that anxiety levels and the detrimental effect they have on academic performance are getting worse over the years, with fourth-year students having the worst levels of anxiety (45%) and the greatest academic impact score (3.5). The findings highlight the importance of providing students with personalized support to help them cope with the psychological effects of the pandemic. Scientific novelty: Novelty resides in the study's exhaustive examination of COVID-19's psychological effects on Jordanian university students, with a particular emphasis on anxiety levels and how they relate to academic achievement. By looking at the effects of the pandemic across genders and academic years, it shows how anxiety levels rise over time and how there are clear differences between the sexes. The study offers important insights into the many ways in which the pandemic affected students' academic performance and mental health by using a large sample size, a correlational descriptive approach, and social media to reach a wide audience during the epidemic.

Intelligent learning systems provide relevant learning materials to students based on their individual pedagogical needs and preferences. However, providing personalized learning objects based on learners’ preferences, such as learning styles which are particularly important for the recommendation of learning objects, re-mains a challenge. Recommending the most appropriate learning objects for learners has always been a challenge in the field of e-learning. This challenge has driven educators and researchers to implement new ideas to help learners improve their learning experience and knowledge. New solutions use artificial intelligence (AI) techniques such as machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP). In this paper, we propose and develop a new personalization approach for recommendation that implements the adaptation of learning objects according to the learners’ learning style mainly focused on the use of a chatbot, named LearningPartnerBot, which will be integrated into the Moodle platform. We use the Felder-Silverman Learning Styles Model to determine learners’ learning styles in order to recommend learning objects, and also to overcome the cold start problem. A chatbot is an automated communication tool that attempts to imitate a conversation by detecting the intentions of its user. The proposed LearningPartnerBot should be able to answer learners’ questions in real time and provide a relevant set of suggestions according to their needs.

International health electives offer unique experiences for medical students to develop clinical skills and cultural competencies in unique and diverse environments. Medical students have been increasingly pursuing these learning opportunities despite the challenges. However, their goals in pursuing these opportunities and the relation between their learning objectives and actual experiences have not been studied adequately. It is important to assess these programs based on student objectives and whether those objectives are met. Thirty-seven medical students from five cohorts at a US medical school completed pre-post questionnaires regarding their global health elective objectives and learning experiences. The questionnaires included mostly open-ended questions and a Likert-scale rating of their overall experience. Qualitative thematic analysis involved inductive coding and followed a content-driven immersion-crystallization approach. Quantitative program evaluation measures yielded descriptive statistics. Five general objectives and four types of learning experiences were identified. Student objectives were: (1) to observe the practice and organization of health care in another country; (2) improve medical/surgical skills; (3) improve language skills; (4) learn about another culture; and (5) deepen knowledge of infectious diseases. All of their objectives were achieved. Moreover, one learning theme, "self-reflection and personal growth," was not a student objective. Quantitative assessment showed that most students had a favorable elective experience. Program challenges were also identified. Students in a global health elective were able to fulfill self-identified learning objectives, while also gaining other unexpected yet important lessons. Students' learning objectives also should be considered in evaluating learning experiences in international health electives.

The objectives of the research were to find out whether a) students’ achievement in reading comprehension taught by using Jigsaw model was higher than taught by using Task-Based Learning (TBL) b) students’ achievement in reading comprehension with visual style was higher than that students with auditory style. The population was the students of SMA Budi Murni 2 Medan with 104 students. The samples were 3 parallel classes and two classes by applying cluster random sampling. The questionnaire was administered for classifying the students upon the visual and auditory learning style. The data were analyzed by applying two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at the level of significance α= 0.05. The result proved that students’ achievement in reading comprehension taught by using Jigsaw was higher than that taught by using TBL, students’ achievement in reading comprehension with visual learning style was higher than those with auditory learning style and there was interaction between models of learning and learning styles on students’ achievement in reading comprehension. Moreover, Tuckey-test result also showed that visual style students got higher achievement if they were taught by using Jigsaw model while auditory style students got higher achievement if they were taught by using TBL model. Keywords: Effect; Models of Learning; Reading Comprehension; Students’ Learning Style; Students’ Achievement

The goal of this paper is to develop a system, referred to as the Management System for Merging Learning Objects (msMLO), which offers an approach that retrieves learning objects (LOs) based on students’ learning styles and term-based queries and produces a new outcome. The first step ranks LOs using a unified learning style model and creates better LOs by merging the top-ranked LOs. The second step maps LOs onto a hierarchy of concepts to avoid including duplicated topics in the merged LO. Fifty-six students were randomly split into experimental and control groups. The experimental group browsed the LOs retrieved by the msMLO based on the students’ learning styles, term-based queries and merge functionality, whereas the control group browsed the LOs retrieved based on the students’ learning styles and term-based queries. The results demonstrated that the experimental group improves their learning performance, thus msMLO is a promising approach.

Institution-wide language programmes are now widespread in UK institutions of higher education and offer students, regardless of discipline, the opportunity of enhancing their curriculum vitae through the development of communication skills in a foreign language. However, this facility for non-specialist language learners requires careful consideration to be given to learning style and related factors that may contribute to successful language learning. In order to explore some of the issues, an action research pilot study utilising qualitative research tools has been undertaken at Sheffield Hallam University. The findings provide various insights into the factors that impact upon non-specialist language learning. Although inconclusive with respect to learning style, they suggest that more can be done to maximise student achievement, such as providing students with opportunities for exploring the process of learning. They also indicate that further research should be undertaken focusing specifically on the nature of the interface between language learning and other components of the student's learning experience and the identification of opportunities for cross-fertilisation between subject areas.

A growing body of research suggests that increased learning gains can be achieved with college students when instruction is designed with learning styles in mind. In addition, several practitioners within the domains of science and engineering education have noted the importance of embedding a learning style approach within a variety of teaching strategies. Furthermore, attention to learning styles and learner diversity has been shown to increase student motivation to learn. In this interactive workshop, the research base on teaching and learning styles was outlined. Emphasis was placed on specific applications of teaching and learning styles in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology (SMET) education. Additional emphasis was placed on the critical role that a learning style approach can play in terms of SMET education. This workshop begins with an overview of several available learning style models and instruments. Information regarding how to choose the right assessment tool(s) for use with science, mathematics, engineering and technology students was shared. In addition, a description of some of the highlights of reported studies and programs involving learning styles in SMET education were given.

Background: Critical thinking is an important thing possessed by the students as an order thinking skills which support independent and research-based learning for students. One attempt to fulfill the scientific learning process is conduct a project-based learning by taking into account the motivation and learning styles of students. This study aimed to identify the effect of project based learning, motivation, and visual, auditory and kinesthetic (VAK) learning styles on high school students’ critical thinking skills of the ecosystem topic. This research used quasi-experiment with 2x2x3 factorial design. Research was conducted on high school students in grade 10th in Jakarta as many as 348 students were taken by simple random sampling technique. Data was collected by a motivation and VAK learning style questionnaire and critical thinking skills test. Data was analyzed by General Linear Model Uni-variate ANOVA at α = 0.05. The whole group had a normal distributed and homogeneous data. The results showed that (1) there is the significant effect of the Project-based learning on students' critical thinking skills, (2) motivation affects students' critical thinking skills, (3) VAK learning style does not affect students' critical thinking skills, (4) the interaction between the two independent variables was fitted (learning models*motivation , learning models*VAK learning styles , and motivation * VAK learning style )and does not affect student’s critical thingking skills, and (5) interaction model of learning , motivation , and learning styles affect the students' critical thinking skills. Based on the results above, students’ critical thinking ability can be improved through the project-based learning by taking into several factors such as students’ motivation and learning styles.