Researchers have noticed that students avoid the disciplines of the sciences,
both life and physical sciences. This study was designed to ascertain if a relationship
existed between science curriculum achievement/choices and the student’s
preferred learning style. The study addressed two specific relationships.
One was the relationship between learning style and achievement in science as
measured by scores on the natural science section of the ACT and by the student’s
cumulative high school science GPA. Also, focus was given to the relationship
between the student’s learning style and the number of acquired science
semester credits. Results from statistical analyses indicated that several
learning style groups differed significantly when comparing scores on the natural
science section of the ACT. The accommodator group had significantly
lower scores than those of the converger group or those of the assimilator
group. The same two pairs, accommodator-assimilator and accommodatorconverger,
had significantly differing means of the number of science credits
acquired. Results of the ANOVA did not indicate a significant relationship
between the seniors’ learning style and their cumulative high school science
GPA. Implications for Teacher Education were addressed. Specifically, a continued
awareness of learning style theory was felt warranted because students
perceive and process information uniquely, applying a specific configuration of
tactical problem-solving techniques. Some students, such as those with an
accommodator learning style profile were not as science orientated. The use of
a deductive instructional approach, as well as the more traditional inductive
methodology, was suggested to assist the accommodator group, characteristically
deductive learners. Recommendations for further research were listed. [87
pages]
Research in Pre-K through 12 School Settings
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