مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - An Analysis of the Learning Styles and Strategies of the Students in Faculty of Education in Relation to Various Variables (Mersin University Sample)

Abstract :

The determinative factor to perceive the stimuli from the external environment is the person’s individual characteristics. Having different personal characteristics causes the ways preferred in learning to be different. “Learning styles”, one of the personal characteristics, and “learning strategies” chosen in relation to personal characteristics are the main focus of this study. Accordingly, learning styles and strategies of the first- and fourth-year students in the faculty of education, Mersin University were investigated. Whether there was a significant difference in the learning styles and strategies of the students taking part in the research in terms of gender, the department and the class they study at and the relationship between the learning styles and strategies of the students were analyzed. To identify the learning styles of the students, “Learning Styles Inventory” developed by Kolb and to identify the learning strategies of the students, “Learning Strategies Identification Scale” developed by Güven and Özdemir were employed. The findings of the research showed that most of the students in the research areassimilators. While there is no significant relationship between the learning styles of the students and gender and department variables, it was found that there is a significant relationship between the learning styles of the students and the grades they study at. Besides, it was seen that the students preferred interpretation strategies the most and there is a significant difference between the learning strategies preferred by the students and gender, department and grade variables. Lastly, it was also found that there is a significant difference between the learning styles of the students and the learning strategies preferred by them.