Applicability of the Learning Style Inventory in an Asian Context and its Predictive Value

Abstract

Although most of the validation studies on Kolb's revised Learning Style Inventory (LSI) focused on the internal consistency and construct validity of the scales, the present study extended the validation effort by (a) using the LSI to confirm predicted learning abilities and (b) testing Kolb's hypothesis on the relationship between learning styles and educational backgrounds. Based on a review of the local education system and culture, it was hypothesized that Singaporean students would score high in abstract conceptualization ability and low in concrete-experience ability. This was confirmed by the findings that also supported Kolb's hypothesis that the learning styles are associated with different educational backgrounds. The study involved 1,032 final-year students from six faculties in a local university.

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