Learning Preference Differences Among Adults In Traditional and Nontraditional Baccalaureate Programs

Abstract

This study compared the learning preferences, defined as the choice of one instructional situation over another, of adult students in a nontraditional baccalaureate program with those of adults enrolled in a traditional program. The results showed a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the degree to which they preferred to structure their own learning. Adults in the nontraditional program preferred learning situations which they directed themselves, while the other group preferred those which were structured by the teacher. Both groups had a very strong preference for learning through concrete and applied tasks over those which were abstract in nature. Age and gender were not related to learning preferences. The paper recommends how administration, faculty, and students could use learning preference data for such purposes as individual program planning and the selection of teaching strategies.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Canfield, A. , & Lafferty, J. (1974). Learning styles inventory. Plymouth, MI: Experimental Learning Methods.

Cronbach, L. , & Snow, R. (1977). Aptitudes and instructional methods. New York: Irvington.

Curry, L. (Ed.). (1983). Learning style in continuing medical education. Ottowa: Canadian Medical Association.

Dubin, R. , & Taveggia, T. (1986). The teaching-learning paradox: A comparative analysis of college teaching methods. Eugene, OR: Center for the Advanced Study of Educational Administration, Univeristy of Oregon.

Dunn, R. (1981). Learning style researchers define differences differently. Educational leadership, 38(5), 372-375.

Foley, R. (1983). Instructional methods and media. In C. McGuire , R. Foley , A. Gorr , & R. Richards (Eds.), Handbook of health professions education (pp. 234-255). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Friedman, C. , & Stritter, F. (1977). An empirical inventory comparing instructional preferences of medical and other professional students. Proceedings of the Annual Conference on Research in Medical Education. Washington, DC.

Heuter, A. (1976). The effect of learning styles, locus of control, state-trait anxiety, and attitude on achievement in undergraduate physical therapy students. Unpublished master's thesis, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

Horton, E. (1978). Learning and teaching preferences among medical record practitioners. Un-published master's thesis, University of Illinois at Chicago.

10.

Hunter, W. (1978). Noncognitive factors and student success in college. Community College Frontiers, 2, 44.

11.

James, N. (1962). Personal preferences for method as a factor in learning. Journal of Educational Psychology, 53, 43-47.

12.

Johnson, J. (1984). Characteristics of nursing students selecting self-paced, independent study versus traditional lecture programs. Unpublished manuscript, University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Nursing.

13.

Kolb, D. (1976). Learning style inventory: Technical manual. Boston: McBer.

14.

Kolb, D. (1983). Future directions for learning style research. In L. Curry (Ed.), Learning style in continuing medical education (pp. 100-114). Ottowa: Canadian Medical Association.

15.

Ostmoe, P. , Van Hoozer, H. , Scheffel, A. , & Crowell, C. (1984). Learning style preferences and selection of learning strategies: Considerations and implications for nurse educators. Journal of Nursing Education, 23(1), 27-30.

16.

Payton, O. , Heuter, A. , & McDonald, B. (1979). Learning style preferences. Physical Therapy, 59(2), 147-152.

17.

Renzulli, J. , & Smith, L. (1978). Learning styles inventory: A measure of student preferences for instructional techniques. Mansfield Center, CT: Creative Learning Press.

18.

Rezler, A. , & French, R. (1975). Personality types and learning preferences of students in six allied health professions. Journal of Allied Health, 4, 20-26.

19.

Rezler, A. , & Mrtek, R. (1975). The learning preferences of pharmacy students. Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association of College of Pharmacy. Lake Kiamesca, NY.

20.

Rezler, A. , & Rezmovic, V. (1981). The learning preference inventory. Journal of Allied Health, 11, 28-34.

21.

Riechman, S. , & Grasha, A. (1974). A rational approach to developing and assessing the construct validity of a student learning style scales instrument. Journal of Psychology, 87, 213-223.

22.

Rosenshine, B. , & Furst, W. (1973). The use of direct observation to study teaching. In P. Travers (Ed.), Second handbook of research on teaching (pp. 122-184). Chicago: Rand McNally.

23.

Ware, A. (1975). The relationship between student scores on a learning preference inventory and student satisfaction and achievement in four instructional methods. Unpublished master's thesis, University of Illinois at Chicago.