The problem was to assess the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) in reading and math and to determine the relationship between achievement using CAI and selected learning style elements. Learning style elements were limited to motivation, learning alone or with peers, auditory, visual, tactual, and kinesthetic perceptions. The Learning Style Inventory provided learning style data and The Iowa Tests of Basic Skills measured achievement. Both tests were administered in the classroom. Three hundred (300) fourth-grade students in six suburban schools were divided into experimental and control groups. The treatment was CAI in reading or mathematics for fifteen minutes per day and regular instruction. The nonequivalent control group design allowed for testing and treatment conditions for intact groups. Pre- and post-test achievement measures were administered to all subjects. An analysis of covariance was computed for the achievement measures. A correlation coefficient was calculated to determine the relationship between achievement and each learning style element. The Manova multiple regression procedure was used to determine which combination of selected learning style elements could predict achievement. The pre-test and time on task were used as covariates to control for initial differences between groups. The findings were: (1) the experimental groups gained significantly higher scores (.05 level) than the control groups in math achievement; (2) the control groups made significantly more reading gain (.05 level) than the experimental groups; (3) there was no significant relationship between achievement and selected learning style elements; (4) there was no significant relationship between any combination of selected learning style elements and achievement.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Increasing the success of diverse undergraduate students is central to the mission of many nursing programs. Numerous programs administer learning style inventories in order to obtain baseline information about students’ learning needs. However, little is understood about students’ intent to use the learning style preference information. The purpose of this study was to examine variables associated with intent to use learning style preference information by undergraduate nursing students. Variables included demographic, academic, and learning style preference variables as well as students’ ability to explain learning style preference information, obtained from a commercial learning style inventory. A purposive convenience sample (N = 219) was obtained from six baccalaureate nursing programs in different geographical areas to achieve adequate learner diversity for the variables to be studied. A researcher-developed survey entitled Intent to Use Learning Style Preference Information was used to collect study data. Students responded to questions regarding demographic, academic, and learning style preference information. Pearson correlation, independent samples t test, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression methods were used for statistical analyses. The significant variables of type of BSN program, years of education, person who shared results, perception of usefulness of learning style assessment, and ability to explain learning style preference information, when entered into the regression model, accounted for 32.5% of the variance in the intent to use learning style preference information, F(5, 198) = 19.07, p < .001. Intent to use learning style preference information was greater for BSN students in four-year programs as opposed to accelerated programs, those with fewer overall years of education, whose results were shared by an academic advisor rather than faculty, who perceived their learning style assessment as useful, and who had high ability to explain their learning style preference information. Evaluation of fiscal resources required for administration of learning style inventories and perceived usefulness of the information by students is critical. Implications from this study include ensuring students’ ability to understand and explain their learning style preference information, as well as providing strategies that students can utilize throughout their curriculum. Further research is recommended to determine the impact of implementation strategies.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate students' perceptions of multimedia classrooms at East Tennessee State University regarding technologies in multimedia classrooms, students' learning achievements, instructors' instructional methods, and students' learning styles. Two surveys in multimedia classrooms and traditional classrooms were designed to measure and compare students' perceptions of multimedia classrooms. The VARK (Fleming, 2002b) learning style survey was used to calculate the students' learning styles. The research was conducted during spring semester, 2002. Participants in this study included 187 students in multimedia classrooms and 110 students in traditional classrooms at East Tennessee State University. The majority of students were from the School of Business and the College of Applied Science and Technology. The results of data analysis showed that there were no significant differences in students' perceptions of multimedia classrooms regarding technologies, learning achievements, and learning styles. However, there were significant differences in students' perceptions of multimedia classrooms regarding instructors' instructional methods. Students in multimedia classrooms had better perceptions of instructors' instructional methods than students in traditional classrooms. Furthermore, the majority of students in multimedia classrooms and traditional classrooms had positive attitudes towards multimedia classrooms. Several recommendations for future research, VARK learning styles, and administrators and policy makers at East Tennessee State University resulted from this study. A future study with a larger and more diverse population using both quantitative and qualitative methodology is recommended to further explore the effectiveness of multimedia classrooms in higher education. Reinforcement of training, technical support, and classroom maintenance are recommended to administrators and policy makers at East Tennessee State University in order to use multimedia classrooms more effectively.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between learning styles and student performance on a pre and post test, using an online case study, while also documenting their reactions to the case study. The case studies used in this research contained different storylines that showed multiple perspectives of case scenarios, giving students more choices to see what may happen in real school situations. Working with undergraduate students (N = 138) from the College of Education at a southeastern university, the researcher examined how students learned and responded to an online case study relative to their learning styles. Kolb's learning style inventory and a learner feedback survey questionnaire were administered respectively before and after the case study. Scores on Kolb's learning style inventory were used to classify the students' learning style preferences. A paired samples t-test was used to analyze the learners' knowledge test scores before and after the case study. The data revealed that the mean of students' post-test scores was significantly higher than the mean of their pre-test scores. Using descriptive methods, students' responses to the feedback questionnaire were analyzed. There was no difference shown between students with different learning style preferences, their overall reactions to the case study, and their reactions to certain elements (e.g., the content map, the assistants, and the navigation) included in the case study. Overall, most students' reactions to the case study were positive. Open-ended questions in the feedback questionnaire were analyzed and three assertions were generated. Of the optional features included within the case study, eighty two percent of students used the practice quizzes to self-check whether they understood the concepts and content covered in the cases. Students' post-test scores were congruent with their reactions to the online case study (with higher scoring students expressing more positive responses); and students' preferences regarding the use of online cases for study emerged in patterns relative to their career background. The study results showed that case studies can be used effectively in teacher education programs, while many learners (74%) favored using the case study and developed positive reactions through their case study experiences.

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This study was descriptive, correlative and explanatory. It summarized the problem solving and learning styles of students enrolled in the spring 2008 Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Agricultural Technology program, identified relationships between problem solving and learning styles, and used problem solving and learning styles to explain students' end of course grades. Ninety-three students and six faculty members elected to participate in the study. There were differences between degree options in terms of orientation to change. Second year students were likely to be internal processors. There were not significant differences among the population in ways of deciding. However, Agricultural Technology teachers were more task oriented problem solvers, while their students were people oriented. Teachers were more field independent than the students. There were no relationships between problem solving and learning style. There was a high degree of association between student ways of deciding and manner of processing. Student and teacher problem solving and learning styles were used to explain 11% of the variance in students' end of course grades for the six teachers in the study. Student orientation to change, student manner of processing, teacher manner of processing and teacher ways of deciding scores produced a model that significantly explained end of course grades. Suggestions for further research included identifying other career areas with stylistic trends and further identifying the impact cognitive effect has on student behavior. / Master of Science

The two main objectives of this study were to: (1) evaluate the usability of a major delivery company computer-based performance dashboard design and (2) identify education level differences in user task performance and dashboard usability assessments. Both college educated and non-college educated participants were recruited to complete 15 tasks on a dashboard prototype under time constraints. The dashboard was divided among 5 user roles, and 3 tasks were assigned for each role. Participants also completed the VARK (Visual, Aural, Reading/writing and Kinesthetic) Questionnaire to identify their learning styles and a Computer Experience Categorization tool to categorize them as expert, intermediate or novice computer users. After-task usability questionnaires and an open-ended questionnaire were used to acquire usability ratings from participants. This study suggested that college educated participants performed better than non-college educated participants on dashboard-related tasks. Expert computer users rated the dashboard as more usable than did intermediate computer users. / Master of Science