Abstract: This research assessed Learning Styles and Academic Achievement of Students in Physics. Quasi-Experimental research design was adopted in this study in other to confirm the above perception. The simple random technique was adopted to select 100 students from 4 selected secondary schools in the study Area. Data were collected using the Physics Achievement Test and were analyzed using independent t-test the finding revealed that”, there is no significant different between students with auditory learning and those with visual learning in their academic performance in Physics and it also revealed that there is a significant difference between students with visual learning style and those with kinesthetic learning styles in their academic performance in Physics in Etinan Local Government Area.
Recommendations were made such as; teachers should used kinesthetic learning method of teaching because it is the most appropriate for students and students should inculcate good attitudes and learning styles that would enhance better academic performance schools.
Learning Styles and Academic Achievement of Students in Physics
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
It is known that learning process vary from person to person due to the presence of biological and psychological differences.
Pas, (2005) points out that more than three-fifths of a person’s learning style is biologically imposed in the same vein, Reif (2006) states that, all learners have individual attributes relating to their learning processes. Sitt-Gohdes (2001) also holds that most teachers teach the way they have already learned. These might have cause the frustration of a good number of learners as they witness that their learning preferences are not accounted for by many teachers.
The case is more serious in physics where student come from diverse educational experiences and with different cultural background; compared to the extensive work done on methods and instructional activities. One vital area often neglected is the exploration of learning styles in the class-room.
According to Keefe and Ferrel (2002), learning problems are frequently not related to the difficulty of the subjects matter but rather to the types and level of the cognitive processes required to learn the material.
Moreover, Dunn (2005) found that dramatic improvement in student’s achievement in cases where learning styles have been taken into account show that the way things are taught had a greater impact than the content covered in a course of study. It is believed that when teachers are able to analyze the differences and needs of their students, the educational process is likely to become optimized for both students and teachers. (Fairhurst and Fairhust 2011) learning styles are among the concepts that are postulated by researchers to show learners differences and varied needs. As a result, the present study aims to examine the influence between learning styles and academic achievement in physics in Etinan Local Government Area.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
It has been observed that the achievement of students in physics in secondary school has been consistently poor because of learning variation of the learners (Students). It also observed that teachers do not observed the various ways and individual or learners learn in the class learning styles were found to affect learners’ learners handling different learning styles preferences would behave differently in the way they perceive, interact, and respond to the learning environment, (Junko, 2005).
Since learners differ in their preferences to certain learning styles, it will be important for teachers to examine the variations in their students on the features of their learning styles, because the information about learner’s preference can help teachers become more sensitive to the differences students bring to the class-room (Felder and Spurlin 2005).
Adjustment can then be made to accommodate the students’ varied needs. This study therefore, aims at depicting the influence of learner’s learning styles and academic achievement in physics in Etinan Local Government Area.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The study aimed at investigating the influence of learning styles and academic achievement in physics in Etinan Local Government Area.
Specifically the study sought to assess the:
(i) Effect of auditory learning styles on academic achievement of students in physics.
(ii) Effect of kinesthetic learning style on academic achievement of students in physics.
Learning Styles and Academic Achievement of Students in Physics
1.4 Research Hypotheses
(i) There is no significance difference between student with auditory learning style and visual learning style in their academic performance.
(ii) There is no significance difference between students with visual learning styles and those with kinesthetic learning style in their academic performance in physics.
1.5 Significance of the Study
(i) The finding of this study will be of immense benefits to teachers, students, parents and the society as it will enable the teacher to adopt right instructional strategies and instructional material which will facilitate in effective teaching and learning.
(ii) This will improve students’ academic performance to the society, the study will help beautify the educational landscape of the nation.
(iii) This study will further help the educational administrators adopt appropriate administrative strategies in enhancing instructional delivery.
