Learning Style Preferences of Prospective Teachers of Physical Education and Sport

Özgür Bostanci

Yasar Dogu Sports Sciences Faculty, Ondokuz Mayıs University, Samsun, Turkey.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to find out the VARK learning styles of students receiving sport sciences education and to investigate their relationship with different variables. 169 undergraduate students studying at Ondokuz Mayıs University Yaşar Doğu Sport Sciences Faculty participated in this cross-sectional study voluntarily. VARK learning style questionnaire, which was developed by Fleeming (2009) and which was adapted into Turkish by Kalkan (2008) was used to find out learning preferences. In data analysis, descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used. According to the average scores obtained, it was found that the students preferred kinesthetic learning style the most (7.08±2.74). In addition, it was found that 142 (84%) students preferred unimodality learning model, while 27 (16%) students preferred multimodality learning model. When learning style model preferences were analyzed according to all variables, no statistically significant difference was found (p>0.05); however, it was found that multimodality learning style was preferred more intensely in all variables. As a result, it was found that dominant learning style of the faculty of sport sciences students was kinesthetic learning style and that multimodality learning style was preferred more in all variables. It is thought that the emergence of this result is due to students’ sport background and their applied lessons. It is predicted that as a result of determining the learning styles of sport sciences students and conducting studies related to these, academic quality and achievement can be increased.

Keywords: Learning styles, VARK, Physical education, Sport, Dominant learning style, students.

Contribution of this paper to the literature
The aim of this study is to find out the VARK learning styles of students receiving sport sciences education.

1. Introduction

Updates in educational subjects with the developing technology becoming an important part of daily life have caused individual differences in terms of students’ absorbing and using knowledge (Cavusoglu, Yılmaz, Kabadayı, Abacı, & Tasmekteplıgıl, 2017; Weng, Ho, Yang, & Weng, 2018). Accordingly, for a quality education, learning and teaching processes should be monitored, how students learn information should be clarified and individual differences should be taken into consideration (Miyake & Friedman, 2012).

The process of education can be successful only when we are sensitive to these individual differences. Students’ success will increase when teaching activities are planned by taking individual differences into consideration because thinking that all students have similar characteristics prevents their ability and success from appearing (Doğan, Yılmaz, Kabadayı, & Mayda, 2018; Karataş, Sır, & Celiköz, 2015) . The fact that each student has subjective thoughts and different experiences shows that their learning process is also different. For this reason, each individual has a specific learning style in the education process (Bilgin & Bahar, 2008). Learning styles that are customized for each individual are defined in different ways in literature. While Kolb defined learning styles as a personally preferred process in absorbing and using knowledge(Kolb, 1984) Dunn evaluated learning style as a situation that occurs in different environments as opposed to mental and intellectual processes (Dunn & Dunn, 1993). Gregorc defined learning styles as subjective and observable behaviours which give information about students’ abilities, their thoughts about the world and how they learn (Gregorc, 1979). Riding and Rayner stated that learning styles were individuals’ unchanging or slightly changing characteristics (Riding & Rayner, 2013).

When studies conducted on learning styles are examined (Dunn & Dunn, 1992; Fleming, 2001; Kırmacı et al., 2019; Leite, Svinicki, & Shi, 2010) it can be seen that learning style preferences are different. While some individuals prefer to use a single learning style, others prefer to use more than one learning style because these preferences contribute to creating a more effective learning environment. In the light of this information, it is a matter of curiosity which styles sport sciences students, who have intense applied lessons, use.

Significance of the study; the study will examine the learning styles of sport sciences faculty students and contribute to more effective implementation of education programs and shaping education programs according to the interests and abilities of students. The aim of this study, which will make a significant contribution to literature, is to find out the learning styles of sport sciences faculty students and to examine how some variables affect their learning styles.

2. Material and Method

2.1. Sample and Procedure

The population of the study consists of undergraduate students of Sport Sciences Faculty, while the sample group consists of 169 undergraduate students studying at Ondokuz Mayıs University Yaşar Doğu Faculty of Sport Sciences during the Academic Year 2018-2019 Table 1. Random sampling method was used in this cross-sectional study and the participants were chosen on a voluntary basis. The data were then collected, entered into the computer,and collated. Each student’s results were calculated to identify their learning style preference.

Table-1. Descriptive data and VARK learning style models.
 Variables
Group
f
%
Gender
Male
119
70.40
Female
50
29.60
Age
19-20
47
27.80
21-22
70
41.40
23 and older
52
30.80
State of doing sport
Active-Licensed
53
31.40
Previously licensed
99
58.60
No license
17
10.10
Monthly level of income
0 – 1000 TL
12
7.10
1001 – 1500 TL
49
29.00
1501 – 2000 TL
46
27.20
2001 – 2500 TL
19
11.20
2501 – 3000 TL
19
11.20
3000 TL and more
24
14.20
Place of residence
Provincial centre
95
56.20
Town centre
55
32.50
Village
19
11.20
VARK
Unimodal Learning
51
30.20
Bi-modal Learning
23
13.60
Tri-modal Learning
23
13.60
Quad-modal Learning
72
42.60
Total
169
100

Note: f: Frequency, %: Percentage.

2.2. VARK Learning Style Version 7.1

VARK learning style questionnaire, which was developed by Fleming (Fleeming, 2009) and which was adapted into Turkish by Kalkan (2008) was used to find out learning preferences. VARK questionnaire, which consists of 16 questions, seeks answers to what students can do by creating different scenarios. The questionnaire in which more than one option can be chosen consists of visual, aural, read/write and kinesthetic sensory categories. The participants can choose more than one learning style and this result shows that the participant is more prone to multiple learning styles. To determine the percentage of students for each VARK modality and for all possible combinations of modalities, the number of students who preferred each learning style modality was divided by the total number of students.

2.3. Data Analysis

The sample size calculation showed that to have 5% error and a 90% confidence level the total sample size would need to be at least 150 students. The SPSS 22.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) version was used for statistical analyses.  The data were expressed in terms of mean, standard deviation, minimum, maximum, percentage, and frequency. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to check normality of the data. Chi-Square was used in group comparisons of qualitative data. Significance was defined as p ≤ 0.05.

3. Results

Descriptive data and VARK learning style models distribution of the subjects are given in Table 1 above.

Table-2. Mean scores of the sub-dimensions of VARK learning style questionnaire.

VARK
Min.
Max.
Mean
S.D.
Visual
0.00
15.00
4.10
2.71
Aural
1.00
16.00
6.44
2.76
Read-write
0.00
14.00
4.89
2.48
Kinesthetic
1.00
15.00
7.08
2.74

Note: Min: Minimum Max: Maximum S.D: Standart Deviation.

When the average scores were examined, it was found that the learning style most preferred by the students was kinesthetic (7.08 ± 2.74) Table 2.

Table-3. Percentage and frequency distribution of dominant learning styles.
Learning styles
f
%
Uni-modal Visual (V)
4
2.40
Aural (A)
45
26.60
Read/Write (R/W)
19
11.20
Kinesthetic (K)
74
43.80
            
142
% 84
Multi-modal Bi-Modal Learning Styles
26
15.50
Aural-Kinesthetic (AK)
11
6.50
Aural- Read/Write (AR)
3
1.80
Read/Write - Kinesthetic (RK)
5
3.00
Visual - Aural (VA)
5
3.00
Visual - Kinesthetic (VK)
2
1.20
  Quad-Modal Learning Styles
1
0.60
Visual - Aural - Kinesthetic - Read/Write (VARK)
1
0.60
   
27
% 16
Total  
169
100

Note:  f: Frequency  %: Percentage.

When the results of learning styles were examined, it was found that 142 (84%) of the students used unimodality learning style, while 27 (16%) used multimodality learning style Table 3.

Table-4. Analysis of VARK Learning Style Model preferences in terms of gender.
Variables
Male
Female
Total
 
Unimodal
32
19
51
X2 = 3.107   D.F. = 3   p = 0.375
Learning style %
62.7
37.3
100.0
Gender %
26.9
38.0
30.2
Bi-modal
17
6
23
Learning style %
73.9
26.1
100.0
Gender %
14.3
12.0
13.6
Tri-modal
15
8
23
Learning style %
65.2
34.8
100.0
Gender %
12.6
16.0
13.6
Quad-Modal
55
17
72
Learning style %
76.4
23.6
100.0
Gender %
46.2
34.0
42.6
Total
119
50
169
Learning style %
70.4
29.6
100.0
Gender %
100.0
100.0
100.0

Note:  X2: Chi-Square D.F: degrees of freedom p>0.05.

When the gender variable was examined, no significant difference was found between the preferences of the participants (p>0.05). When the distributions were examined, it was found that while male students were mostly inclined to ML style, female students were mostly inclined to SL style Table 4.

Table-5. Analysis of VARK learning style model preferences in terms of age.
Variables
19-20 Years of age
21-22 Years of age
23 and older
Total
 
Unimodal
15
20
16
51
X2 = 2.089   D.F. = 6   p = 0.911
Learning style %
29.4
39.2
31.4
100.0
Age %
31.9
28.6
30.8
30.2
Bi-modal
4
12
7
23
Learning style %
17.4
52.2
30.4
100.0
Age %
8.5
17.1
13.5
13.6
Tri-modal
7
10
6
23
Learning style %
30.4
43.5
26.1
100.0
Age %
14.9
14.3
11.5
13.6
Quad-Modal
21
28
23
72
Learning style %
29.2
38.9
31.9
100.0
Age %
44.7
40.0
44.2
42.6
Total
47
70
52
169
Learning style %
27.8
41.4
30.8
100.0
Age %
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

Note: X2: Chi-Square D.F: degrees of freedom p>0.05.

No difference was found as a result of the analysis conducted in terms of age groups (p>0.05). However, ML was more preferred in all age groups and the highest distribution was found in the 21-22 age group Table 5.

Table-6. Analysis of VARK Learning Style Model preferences in terms of the state of doing sport.

Variables
Active licensed
Previously licensed
No Licence
Total
 
Unimodal
20
25
6
51
X2 = 10.625   D.F. = 6   p = 0.101
Learning style %
39.2
49.0
11.8
100.0
Sport %
37.7
25.3
35.3
30.2
Bi-modal
5
18
0
23
Learning style %
21.7
78.3
0.0
100.0
Sport %
9.4
18.2
0.0
13.6
Tri-modal
3
17
3
23
Learning style %
13.0
73.9
13.0
100.0
Sport %
5.7
17.2
17.6
13.6
Quad-Modal
25
39
8
72
Learning style %
34.7
54.2
11.1
100.0
Sport %
47.2
39.4
47.1
42.6
Total
53
99
17
169
Learning style %
31.4
58.6
10.1
100.0
Sport %
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

Note:  X2: Chi-Square D.F: degrees of freedom p>0.05.

Although there were no statistical differences in the results in terms of the state of doing sport (p>0.05), it was found that there were more students who were previously licensed and that they used ML. In addition, it was found that none of the students with no license used two learning styles Table 6.

Table-7. Analysis of VARK Learning Style Model preferences in terms of the state of monthly income level.

Variables
Less 1000
1001-1500
1501-2000
2001-2500
2501-3000
3000 and more
Total
 
Unimodal
3
12
12
6
7
11
51
X2 = 10.737   D.F. = 15   p = 0.771
Learning style %
5.9
23.5
23.5
11.8
13.7
21.6
100.0
Income (TL) %
25.0
24.5
26.1
31.6
36.8
45.8
30.2
Bi-modal
1
8
7
4
2
1
23
Learning style %
4.3
34.8
30.4
17.4
8.7
4.3
100.0
Income (TL) %
8.3
16.3
15.2
21.1
10.5
4.2
13.6
Tri-modal
1
8
7
2
4
1
23
Learning style %
4.3
34.8
30.4
8.7
17.4
4.3
100.0
Income (TL) %
8.3
16.3
15.2
10.5
21.1
4.2
13.6
Quad-Modal
7
21
20
7
6
11
72
Learning style %
9.7
29.2
27.8
9.7
8.3
15.3
100.0
Income (TL) %
58.3
42.9
43.5
36.8
31.6
45.8
42.6
Total
12
49
46
19
19
24
169
Learning style %
7.1
29.0
27.2
11.2
11.2
14.2
100.0
Income (TL) %
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

Note:  TL: Turkish Lira X2: Chi-Square D.F: degrees of freedom p>0.05.

Learning styles distributions are similar in terms of the levels of monthly income (p>0.05). While 1500 TL is the group with the highest distribution, ML is the most preferred learning style Table 7.

Table-8. Analysis of VARK Learning Style Model preferences in terms of place of residence.
Variables
Provincial centre
Town centre
Village
Total
 
Unimodal
31
16
4
51
X2 = 5.558   D.F. = 6   p = 0.474
Learning style %
60.8
31.4
7.8
100.0
Place of residence %
32.6
29.1
21.1
30.2
Bi-modal
12
6
5
23
Learning style %
52.2
26.1
21.7
100.0
Place of residence %
12.6
10.9
26.3
13.6
Tri-modal
13
6
4
23
Learning style %
56.5
26.1
17.4
100.0
Place of residence %
13.7
10.9
21.1
13.6
Quad-Modal
39
27
6
72
Learning style %
54.2
37.5
8.3
100.0
Place of residence %
41.1
49.1
31.6
42.6
Total
95
55
19
169
Learning style %
56.2
32.5
11.2
100.0
Place of residence %
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

Note:   X2: Chi-Square D.F: degrees of freedom p>0.05.

No significant difference was found in learning styles analysis of the participants in terms of place of residence (p>0.05). It was found that the participants who lived in provincial centres, which had the highest number of participants, were inclined to ML the most Table 8.

4. Discussion and Conclusion

The present study investigated the learning styles of sport sciences faculty students determined with a random sampling method and examined whether the variables of gender, age, state of doing state, level of monthly income and place of residence caused a significant difference in learning styles. Three main results were found: a) According to the results, kinesthetic learning is the most dominant learning style of sport sciences students. b) Few sport sciences students use visual learning. c) In all variables, multiple learning style was proffered more. These results are important for the literature.

Although a great number of studies have been conducted about learning styles in different areas (Fleming, 2001; Katsioloudis & Fantz, 2012; Leite et al., 2010) limited number of studies have been conducted about sport sciences students (Braakhuis, Williams, Fusco, Hueglin, & Popple, 2015; Türker, 2017). In addition, the present study is the first one on sport sciences students which included the variables of monthly level of income and place of residence.

When the average scores of the sub-dimensions of VARK learning styles questionnaire were examined, it was found that kinesthetic was the most preferred learning style (7.08±2.74), while visual was the least preferred (4.10±2.71) Table 2. Similar results were found in some of the previously conducted studies (AlKhasawneh, 2013; Braakhuis et al., 2015; Türker, 2017) . Although learning styles differed in terms of the faculties the students were studying in, their dominant learning styles were found to be aural and kinesthetic learning styles in general (Cetin & Erel, 2018; Powers, 2016; Wong, Siow, Kumarasamy, & Suhaimi, 2017) .

According to the percentage and frequency distributions of dominant learning styles, few students in the study (f=4, 2,40%) were found to prefer visual learning style. In addition, 142 (84%) of the students stated that they used unimodality learning style, while 27 (16%) stated that they used multimodality learning style Table 3. In a study conducted on sport sciences faculty students in 2017, Türker (2017) found that 664 (81%) of the participants used unimodality learning style, while 156 (19%) used multimodality learning style.

No significant difference was found between the preferences of the participants in terms of the variable of gender (p>0.05). In some of the studies conducted, the variable of gender was found to cause a significant difference on learning styles (Braakhuis et al., 2015; Park, Nielsen, & Woodruff, 2014) while in others it was not found to cause a significant difference (Dobson, 2010; Güneş & Erkan, 2017) . No difference was found between the results of age groups (p>0.05). The most frequently preferred learning styles were ML and SL. Similar results were found in Baykan and Naçar’s study (Baykan & Naçar, 2004).

No statistically significant difference was found when the results of the state of doing sport were examined (p>0.05). In their study on elite team athletes, Braakhuis et al. (2015) also found similar results. It is thought that the state of having license did not affect the results since the students of the faculty of sport sciences are engaged in sport all the time.

Learning style preferences were found to be similar in terms of the level of monthly income and place of residence (p>0.05). In both variables, ML was the most preferred learning style. The highest numbers of students were within the 1001-1500 TL income level group. The highest number of students lived in provincial centre in terms of place of residence. No studies have been conducted on sport sciences students with these two variables; thus, it is thought that the study will make significant contribution to national and international literature.

As a conclusion, although sport sciences students had kinesthetic learning style as the dominant learning style, they also have the characteristics of the other learning preferences since they are intertwined with sports. The result that multiple learning style was preferred more in all variables can be explained with this. In addition, it is thought that knowing about the learning styles of sport sciences students will be an important resource for sport educators in increasing quality. It is recommended that similar studies should be conducted on academic achievement and learning styles of undergraduate students and graduate students. In addition, it is predicted that academic achievement can be increased through more quality education by monitoring the learning styles of students starting from their first year.

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