Effects of Learning Styles to the Academic Performance

A. Introduction

Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan is one of the University that aims for a higher learning towards the students. It is also concerned on how students learn by means of their different learning styles, this only means that they learn differently and uniquely especially when they know what’s best for them. Students in Xavier University are being observed, guided and tested by the teachers in many ways like seeing, hearing and experiencing things first hand.

Dunn(2000), defined learning style as the way a person processes, internalizes and studies new and challenging material. The cornerstone of this theory is the most people can learn and individuals have their own unique ways of mastering new and difficult subject matter. Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic and Tactile are perceptual elements under the physiological element of the Dunn’s model.

In this way, researchers would like to study the students unique learning styles, in what way are they good at and what’s the best learning style for them as an individual.

B. Conceptual Framework

Figure 1 shows the conceptual framework of the study.

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE

Learning Styles

Knowledge

Independent variable influences the dependent variable of this research by the bases from both educational and psychological theories and concepts. Many studies show that one’s learning style is determined by which senses are most active while acquiring knowledge. It also helps one know where he understands and gain knowledge more by knowing which learning style best suits him. That is why a lot of specialists have produced models which we can determine how we best learn. Neil Fleming’s VAK/VARK model is one of the most common and widely-used categorizations of the types of learning styles which is expanded upon earlier Neuro-linguistic programming (VARK) models.

C. Statement of the Problem
This study is all about the effects of learning styles on the academic achievement of Sped 16 EDA students during 1st semester of S.Y. 2012-2013 in Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan. It aims to answer the following questions

What are the different learning styles of the respondents based on the assessment? 1) What specific learning style dominates?
2) What specific learning style dominates in relation to academic achievement of the respondents? D. Significance of the study
The researchers believe that the teachers, and school administrators of Baluarte Elementary School will benefit from the findings of this study since they will know what are the reasons of the students poor study habits in relation to their academic achievement. Likewise, future researchers will also benefit from this study because they may be able to use the results of this study to asses in what aspect does the child’s need to develop more. E. Scope and Limitations

The study is limited to correlate poor study habits and academic performance of Grade 1 students in Baluarte Elementary School in Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City during the academic year 2012-2013 Definition of terms

a) Conceptual Definition
Poor Study Habits
Study Habits
Academic Performance
b) Operational definition
Poor Study Habits
Study Habits
Academic Performance