An analytical study of students’ learning styles at Mutah University in Jordan

Abstract EN

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of learning styles (Deep processing, Elaborative Processing, Fact Retention, and Methodical Study) by university students at Mu’tah University in Jordan.

Moreover, it aimed at investigating the effect of students' Gender, GPA, and Mode of major selection (MMS) on their use of learning styles.

The study was conducted on a sample of 1214 students coming from different fields of study at the university in the academic year 2007/2008, using the “Inventory of Learning Processes” (ILP), (Schmeck, Ribich, and Ramanaiah, 1977).

The results of the study revealed statistically significant correlations between the MMS variable and the students’ GPA levels; the students who entered their majors based on desire had higher percentage of distribution in the higher GPA levels, and vice versa.

This indicates a positive relationship between the MMS factor and the student’s academic achievement.

The results revealed also statistically significant differences in the students’ responses on the ILP in relation to their GPAs, particularly on the Deep Processing, Elaborative Processing and Methodical study, indicating the existence of a relationship between students’ learning styles and their academic achievement.

In addition, the results showed significant differences between the students’ performance on the ILP in relation to the MMS variable, especially on Deep Processing and Elaborative Processing, which indicates a positive relationship between the MMS and the ILP learning styles.