A study of the factors of mathematical learning styles that learners have provides data in order to investigate the relationship between multi-dimensional and systematic factors of learners, and mathematical learning styles based on learning environme...
A study of the factors of mathematical learning styles that learners have provides data in order to investigate the relationship between multi-dimensional and systematic factors of learners, and mathematical learning styles based on learning environment and learning situations.
Therefore, this study conducted a preliminary analysis for testing methods development to measure mathematical learning styles. In addition, this study suggests an objective and reliable approach to investigate the mathematical learning styles.
RQ 1. What are the factors of mathematical learning styles for the testing methods development?
RQ 2. How is the suggested testing method for the mathematical learning style objective and reliable ?
A total of 711 samples (368 males; 343 females) were collected from second year-middle school student at four schools in Seoul.
Based on 'Approaches to Studying Inventory (ASI)' by Entwistle & Ramsden and 'Learning Style Inventory (LSI)' by Dunn & Prices, a testing method for mathematical learning styles was developed. The developed method was tested among second year-middle school students for two weeks under the cooperation of teachers.
Following results were observed.
First, four factors of mathematical learning styles were drawn from the tests. While cognitive factors, which were hypothized from the pilot study, were not selected, emotional factors, factors of recognition of another person, social factors and physical environmental factors were drawn from the study. This result was similar to Park (2004)'s research.
Second, the results of this study would suggest different conclusion from previous studies, because this study solely concentrated on field of mathematics for Korean students while previous studies measured learning styles in general. Therefore, the testing method suggested in this study would draw more appropriate result to measure mathematical learning styles.
Reliability test among factors recorded .842 for emotional factors, .511 for factors of recognition of another person, .407 for social factors, and .245 for physical environmental factors. The scores, except for emotional factors, tend to be slightly low, however, the score could be higher by adding additional reliable items.
Following suggestions were made based on the results. Factors of mathematical learning styles that found in this study were fragmented so that more in-depth knowledge will be necessary. Therefore, conceptualizing appropriate factors and development of objective and reliable testing methods would be required.