Gender differences in learning styles: Nurturing a gender and style sensitive computer science classroom

<span>The gender digital divide has been widely discussed and researched over the years. Previous studies have focused on a number of factors such as computer attitude, computer anxiety, computer self-efficacy, and computer experience. This study empirically tested the sensitivity of a learning style instrument, the </span><em>Gregorc Style Delineator</em><span> (GSD), to gender in a sample of students who studied computer programming in Hong Kong secondary schools. Results indicated that females had higher preference for concrete sequential (CS) and abstract random (AR) compared with males. Males had higher preference for concrete random (CR) than females. From these results, we proposed learning style-based pedagogical practices to teach computer programming. In order to address the needs of female students, we further proposed that learning style-based pedagogical practices need to move from a gender neutral to gender sensitive approach. This proposal helps to improve student learning through individualisation in pedagogy in terms of gender and learning styles and contributes to a gender and style sensitive computer science classroom. Eventually, through various remedial interventions, we anticipate more female participation in computer science field and hence the gender issue is addressed.</span>

Teaching to Different Learning Styles

WC083, a 3-page illustrated fact sheet by James E. Dyer, defines learning styles, types of learning styles (per the Gregorc Style Delineator), and preferred teaching methods and techniques for each style. Includes references. Published by the UF Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, December 2008.

Relationship between Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Gregorc Style Delineator

The relationship between the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Gregorc Style Delineator, and achievement was examined by administering these instruments to 259 first-year nursing students enrolled in an introductory human anatomy and physiology course. A principal component factor analysis using a varimax rotation of the scores from the two psychometric instruments, achievement examinations, and an over-all grade point average indicated that each learning style from the Gregorc Style Delineator corresponds to certain traits on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. An individual who had a preference for the learning style of Concrete Sequential tended to have the traits of sensing and judging on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, while an individual who used the learning style of Concrete Random tended to have the traits of intuition and perceiving on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. One who had a preference for the learning style of Abstract Sequential tended to use the trait of thinking while another who used the learning style of Abstract Random tended to have the trait of feeling. The factor analysis also indicates no relationship of any scores of the traits on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or learning styles of the Gregore Style Delineator with the examination scores achieved in the human anatomy and physiology course or to the students' over-all grade point average. However, factor analysis indicates that the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator traits of Judging vs Perceiving collapsed into the Sensing vs Intuition scale, and that the Gregore Style Delineator consists of two bipolar scales that are different from those proposed by Gregorc.

Gregorc learning styles and achievement in anatomy and physiology.

Results from the Gregorc Style Delineator (GSD), administered to 260 undergraduate nursing students, were compared with achievement scores in a human anatomy and physiology course. Factor analysis and VARIMAX rotation demonstrate that there is no relationship between any of the four learning styles allegedly identified by the GSD and achievement in anatomy and physiology. Factor analysis also shows that the GSD measures only a single bipolar scale of sequential vs. random ability rather than two bipolar scales comprising four learning styles, as suggested by Gregorc. These findings question the validity of the GSD and recommend discontinuing its use as an indicator of learning styles.

Learning Style and Personality Type

To investigate the relations between the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Gregorc Style Delineator and to examine the construct validity of the Style Delineator, 41 undergraduate students preparing to be teachers were given both tests. Observed differences in learning styles by personality type partially support the construct validity of the Style Delineator. Judging individuals ( n = 25) tended to perceive themselves as concrete sequential thinkers as opposed to perceptive individuals ( n = 16) who thought of themselves as concrete random thinkers. Feeling types ( n = 29) tended to prefer random modes of thinking.

Predictors of Academic Self-Concept of Older Adults

This study examined the predictors of the academic self-concept of 130 older adults (50 to 68 yr.). The Levenson Multidimensional Locus of Control Scale, the Gregorc Style Delineator, and the Drummond Academic Self-concept Scale and a demographic data sheet were completed by the adults. In stepwise regression, age and enrollment status plus learning style variables accounted for 11.5% and 4.5% of the variance, and the three locus of control scales for 33.1%. How older learners tend to feel about themselves and their world influences their perception of their academic environment more than their preferred modality of learning.