Learning Style : Preferences of pre-service student teachers in Oman

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the learning style preferences of a group of pre-service student teachers in
two majors at the teacher preparation program of the College of Education/Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, namely
the EFL program and the Arabic program. It also investigated the differences in students’ learning style preferences
attributed to major, gender and academic level. A total of 124 College of Education students were randomly selected from the EFL major (76) and
Arabic major (48) teacher preparation program to participate in the study by answering the VAK learning style questionnaire. The 24 item VAK
questionnaire defines preference of learning based on the sensory modalities: visual, aural and kinesthetic. Results revealed the order of preferred
learning styles as: visual, auditory, and then kinesthetic but with an overall moderate preference for all three dimensions. There were significant
differences in student-teachers’ preferences for learning styles attributed to gender in favour of females mainly in the visual and kinesthetic
dimensions. Results also revealed significant differences attributed to student-teachers’ area of specialization in favour of English major students
mainly in the visual and kinesthetic dimensions. There were, however, no significant differences resulting from students’ academic level. The study
urges educationists in higher education institutions to make the use of learning style inventories a regular practice in their classes.
Original languageEnglish
Article number2277 - 8160
Journal Global Journal for Research Analysis
Volume4
Issue number11
Publication statusPublished - 2015

Keywords

  • Learning styles, College of Education, Pre-service teachers, Oman

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