Humor and learning styles: toward a deeper understanding of learning effectiveness in the virtual environment

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Tam
Keyword(s):  
Online Education ◽  
Learning Styles ◽  
Learning Style ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Learning Preferences ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Learning Effectiveness ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThis study explores how virtual learners perceive the use of humor in instructor-developed videos and their other factors for learning effectiveness in an online course.Design/methodology/approachThe study adopted a set of qualitative methods flowing from lesson study, to pilot study, to self-declaration of a learning style, to semi-structured interviews. Through the process, 142 undergraduate business students from the same online course, of different learning styles, discussed their perspectives on the instructor's use of humor and their learning preferences in online situations. Thematic analysis was performed.FindingsFirst, humor is deemed harmless, but its value is perceived at different degrees among the four styles of adult learners for their benefit of learning motivation toward an online course. Second, four common themes that respond to learning effectiveness online are addressed.Research limitations/implicationsSimilar studies with additional samples, including students in other countries, in different age groups and/or on different online courses, are encouraged to strengthen the current findings.Practical implicationsThe results provide evidence to school administrators, course developers and instructors on the importance of using a diverse pedagogy in online education. To motivate virtual learners, being humorous from instructors proves insufficient but developing the course with all respective features for different learners' styles is a clue.Originality/valueIt is among the first studies contextualizing a differential relationship between humor and learners' styles as well as evaluating the effectiveness of an online course from the learning-style standpoint.

An empirical investigation on learning and teaching lean manufacturing

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-354
Author(s):  
Guilherme Luz Tortorella ◽  
Rogério Miorando ◽  
Diego Fettermann ◽  
Diego Tlapa Mendoza
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Learning Styles ◽  
Learning Style ◽  
Teaching Methods ◽  
Lean Manufacturing ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
Learning Preferences ◽  
Teaching Approaches ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning And Teaching

PurposeThis article identifies the association between two methods for teaching lean manufacturing (LM): problem-based learning (PBL) and classroom lectures, and students' learning styles of a postgraduate course.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from graduate students LM courses that present different teaching approaches. Thus, students' learning preferences were gathered through the application of the Index of Learning Style questionnaire, and their performance assessed after each course.FindingsResults indicate that learning styles are indeed associated with LM teaching approaches, and comprehending interaction effects between learning style dimensions is essential for properly adapting the teaching method. However, these interactions have different extensions.Originality/valueAlthough teaching LM has significantly evolved over the past decades, the single application of traditional teaching methods jeopardizes learning effectiveness of graduate students because of the practical nature of LM. This study provides evidence to better understand the effect of complementary teaching methods and their relationship with students' preferences, empirically examining that there is not one best approach for understanding LM.

The influence of learning style on satisfaction and learning effectiveness in the asynchronous web-based learning system

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei-Fei Cheng ◽  
Chui-Chen Chiu ◽  
Chin-Shan Wu ◽  
Der-Chian Tsaih
Keyword(s):  
Learning Styles ◽  
Learning Style ◽  
Learning System ◽  
Learning Effectiveness ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Web Based Learning ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
E Learning ◽  
The Web

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of user’s learning style (including accommodators, divergers, convergers, and assimilators) on user’s satisfaction on the web-based learning system and their learning effectiveness. Design/methodology/approach This experimental research used the college students from a technology institute in Taiwan as the subject sources. By using the Kolb’s learning style model, the students are classified as four types of learners: convergers, divergers, assimilators, and accommodators. The authors analyzed the relationships among the different learning styles with their effectiveness of learning and satisfaction of using the web-based learning system. The mediation effect of gender is also presented. Findings This research indicates that: first, the satisfaction of the web-based learning system has significant influence on the learning performance of learners; second, different learning styles learners have no significant effect to the satisfaction on using the web-based learning system; third, learning effectiveness has significant difference among different learning style learners on the web-based learning system; the learning effectiveness of accommodators and divergers was significantly higher than the assimilators; fourth, different learning styles learners show significant difference in gender proportion. In addition to accommodators, whose proportion of women is higher than men, the other three learning styles’ proportions in men are higher than women. Research limitations/implications This study was grounded in the Kolb’s learning style theory. The authors provide implications for academic studies in e-learning research stream that aimed at understanding the role of learning style as well as gender differences in the asynchronous web-based learning system. Practical implications Results from this study provided the implications for students, educators, and e-learning system designers. The design of teaching materials as well as functions of e-learning systems should take learners’ learning style into consideration to ensure the best learning outcome. Originality/value This study examined the students’ learning style as well as gender differences in the asynchronous web-based learning system. An experiment was conducted to ensure the data were collected in a controlled environment, thus, offer the value that most of the prior study lacks.

Student satisfaction toward e-textbooks in higher education

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yungwei Hao ◽  
Kathy Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Styles ◽  
Student Satisfaction ◽  
Learning Style ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Learning Preferences ◽  
The Body ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Students Satisfaction

Purpose – This study aims to add to the body of literature by examining students’ satisfaction with e-textbooks. As higher education evolves, one instructional tool, the classic textbook, is undergoing various transformations. In today’s classrooms, many e-textbooks are in use and there are implications. Design/methodology/approach – A researcher-developed instrument measured 115 undergraduate students’ satisfaction levels for e-textbooks used in two courses, and a learning styles instrument was given to identify student learning preferences. Findings – Through factor analysis, a few dimensions emerged regarding factors related to satisfaction. The factors included features, usability and learning facilitation provided by the e-textbooks. In general, students had a moderately above-neutral, positive attitude toward the e-textbooks. Gender, grade point average, time spent weekly reading e-textbooks and a few learning style tendencies can significantly predict, to some extent, different dimensions of satisfaction. Practical implications – Usability design of e-textbooks plays a key role in student satisfaction toward digital materials. Moreover, instructors need to use meaningful instructional activities as they adopt the usage of e-textbooks. Originality/value – The findings can help shed light on ways to enable students to become more satisfied with digital textbooks and can help policymakers and instructors evaluate and effectively adopt the appropriate digital materials to meet individual needs.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Online Graduate Epidemiology Instruction and Student Outcomes

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Knapke ◽  
Erin Haynes ◽  
Julie Breen ◽  
Pierce Kuhnell ◽  
Laura Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Adult Learners ◽  
Online Education ◽  
Learning Styles ◽  
Learning Style ◽  
Online Course ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Graduate Course ◽  
Learning Style Inventory ◽  
Education Model

In the last two decades, online learning has transformed the field of higher education. Also during this time, institutions of higher education have seen increases in their adult learner populations. The flexibility and accessibility of an online education model is often particularly appealing to adult learners, who bring unique needs, expectations, and learning styles to their educational experiences. Using Kolb’s Learning Style Inventory and Knowles’ andragogy model as theoretical frameworks, this study evaluates an online graduate course in epidemiology in terms of the demographics, learning styles, satisfaction, and achievement of students. Comparing the online course to the same, land-based course that was offered concurrently, we found no differences between students’ learning styles, satisfaction, and overall achievement. However, students in the land-based class were more likely to be matriculated into a degree program (p

Experience and expression of social isolation by inner-city high-rise residents

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 151-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Love M. Chile ◽  
Xavier M. Black ◽  
Carol Neill
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Inner City ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Rise ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Health And Social Care

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the significance of social isolation and the factors that create social isolation for residents of inner-city high-rise apartment communities. We critically examine how the physical environment and perceptions of safety in apartment buildings and the inner-city implicate the quality of interactions between residents and with their neighbourhood community. Design/methodology/approach – The authors used mixed-methods consisting of survey questionnaires supplemented by semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions using stratified random sampling to access predetermined key strata of inner-city high-rise resident population. Using coefficient of correlation we examine the significance of the association between social isolation, age and ethnicity amongst Auckland's inner-city high-rise residents. Findings – The authors found the experience and expression of social isolation consistent across all age groups, with highest correlation between functional social isolation and “being student”, and older adults (60+ years), length of tenure in current apartment and length of time residents have lived in the inner-city. Research limitations/implications – As a case study, we did not seek in this research to compare the experience and expressions of social isolation in different inner-city contexts, nor of inner-city high-rise residents in New Zealand and other countries, although these will be useful areas to explore in future studies. Practical implications – This study is a useful starting point to build evidence base for professionals working in health and social care services to develop interventions that will help reduce functional social isolation amongst young adults and older adults in inner-city high-rise apartments. This is particularly important as the inner-city population of older adults grow due to international migration, and sub-national shifts from suburbs to the inner-cities in response to governmental policies of urban consolidation. Originality/value – By identifying two forms of social isolation, namely functional and structural social isolation, we have extended previous analysis of social isolation and found that “living alone” or structural social isolation did not necessarily lead to functional social isolation. It also touched on the links between functional social isolation and self-efficacy of older adults, particularly those from immigrant backgrounds.

scholarly journals PENGARUH MODEL PEMBELAJARAN KOOPERATIF TSTS–NHT DAN GAYA BELAJAR TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR PENGANTAR BISNIS

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 88
Author(s):  
Mendarissan Aritonang ◽  
Abdul Hamid K ◽  
Julaga Situmorang
Keyword(s):  
Cooperative Learning ◽  
Learning Styles ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Learning Style ◽  
Random Sampling ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Learning Model ◽  
Learning Models ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Cluster Random Sampling

Abstrak: Penelitian ini bertujuan :(1) Untuk mengetahui hasil belajar pengantar bisnis mahasiswa yang diajar dengan model pembelajaran kooperatif tipe TST lebih tinggi dari mahasiswa yang diajar dengan model pembelajaran kooperatif tipe NHT. (2) Untuk mengetahui hasil belajar  pengantar bisnis mahasiswa yang memiliki gaya belajar teoritis dan mahasiswa yang memiliki gaya belajar pragmatis. (3) Untuk mengetahui interaksi antara model pembelajaran kooperatif dengan gaya belajar  terhadap hasil belajar pengantar bisnis. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di Universitas Methodist Indonesia. Populasi berjumlah 180 orang. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan dengan cluster random sampling. Metode penelitian kuasi eksperimen dengan desain faktorial 2 x 2 dilanjutkan dengan statistik inferensial dengan menggunakan ANAVA dua jalur dengan taraf signifikan α = 0,05 yang dilanjutkan dengan uji Scheffe. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan: (1) hasil belajar pengantar bisnis mahasiswa yang diajarkan dengan model pembelajaran kooperatif tipe TSTS lebih tinggi dari pada hasil belajar pengantar bisnis mahasiswa yang diajarkan dengan model pembelajaran kooperatif tipe NHT; (2) hasil belajar pengantar bisnis mahasiswa yang memiliki gaya belajar teoritis lebih tinggi dari pada hasil belajar pengantar bisnis mahasiswa yang memiliki gaya belajar pragmatis; (3) terdapat interaksi antara model pembelajaran kooperatif dengan gaya belajar  dalam mempengaruhi hasil belajar mahasiswa.  Kata Kunci: model pembelajaran kooperatif, TST, NHT, gaya belajar, pengantar bisnis.  Abstract: This study aims: (1) To find out the introductory learning outcomes of business students who are taught with the cooperative learning model of the TST type are higher than students who are taught with the cooperative learning model of the NHT type. (2) To find out the introductory learning outcomes of business students who have theoretical learning styles and students who have pragmatic learning styles. (3) To determine the interaction between cooperative learning models with learning styles on introductory business learning outcomes. This research was conducted at the Methodist University of Indonesia. The population is 180 people. Sampling was done by cluster random sampling. Quasi-experimental research method with 2 x 2 factorial design followed by inferential statistics using two-way ANAVA with a significant level α = 0.05 followed by the Scheffe test. The results showed: (1) the results of introductory business learning students who were taught with the cooperative learning model type TSTS were higher than the results of introductory business learning students who were taught with the NHT type cooperative learning model; (2) the results of introductory business learning students who have theoretical learning styles are higher than the results of introductory business learning students who have pragmatic learning styles; (3) there is an interaction between cooperative learning models and learning styles in influencing student learning outcomes. Keywords: cooperative learning model, TST, NHT, learning style, business introduction.

Is there a decision to make, boss? From understanding SME growth to managing employees' learning preferences

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Tam ◽  
David E. Gray
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
High Growth ◽  
Life Cycle Stage ◽  
Learning Preferences ◽  
Best Interests ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Managerial Decision ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning Practices ◽  
Life Cycle Stages

PurposeThis study examines employees' learning preferences in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at different life-cycle stages.Design/methodology/approachThe study has two phases. Phase I classified a sample of 30 Hong Kong SMEs into three different life-cycle stages (inception, high growth or maturity). Phase II then explored/compared their employees' learning practices in terms of importance using a mixed-method design through an online learning questionnaire followed by face-to-face semi-structured interviews.FindingsBased on a list of 32 learning practices common to SME workplaces, the study identified how SME employees perceive the importance of a learning practice. The top 5 and the bottom 5 learning practices in SMEs across life-cycle stages are presented to promote best interests for SME executives.Research limitations/implicationsWhile SME learning is highly varied, this study sheds light on some traceable context about it as an SME grows. Similar studies with additional SMEs, including SMEs in other locations, are encouraged to strengthen the findings.Practical implicationsThe findings help SME executives understand what learning practices are most important (or least important) for their employees, given the life-cycle stage of the firm. Aligning a business with employees' learning preferences in a timely fashion is a managerial decision to be made for driving organizational effectiveness.Originality/valueIt is among the first studies connecting employee learning in SMEs and organizational life cycle to address a critical but missing inquiry.

The use of the learning styles questionnaire (LSQ) in the United Arab Emirates

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 490-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darwish Abdulrahman Yousef
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Styles ◽  
Learning Style ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Characteristics ◽  
Learning Style Preferences ◽  
Style Preferences

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the use of Honey and Mumford’s (1986) learning styles questionnaire (LSQ) in the context of United Arab Emirates (UAE) higher education. In particular, it aims at exploring the learning style preferences of United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) students using LSQ. It also investigates whether there are statistically significant differences in students’ learning style preferences because of their demographic and academic characteristics. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from a sample of 1,463 undergraduate students at the UAEU. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to present the main characteristics of respondents, to explore the learning style preferences of UAEU students and to find out whether there are significant differences in students’ learning style preferences because of their demographic and academic characteristics. Findings Results indicated that UAEU students have strong preferences for the four learning styles. Results showed that about 68 per cent of UAEU students have strong or very strong preferences for the activist leaning style, whereas about 84 per cent have strong or very strong preferences for the reflector learning style, 78 per cent have strong or very strong preferences for the theorist learning style; about 60 per cent have strong or very strong preferences for the pragmatist learning style. Furthermore, there were statistically significant differences in certain learning styles because of students’ demographic and academic characteristics. Research limitations/implications There are a number of limitations associated with this study. First, data were collected from a single university in the UAE. Second, the results are based on a self-report survey and this in turn might affect the reliability of the results. Another limitation is that this study is of snapshot type. Hence, it might not capture the dynamic nature of learning style. On the other hand, it has a number of implications for students, educators and administrators. Originality/value The present study is the first attempt to explore learning styles preference of undergraduate students using LSQ, not only in the content of UAE higher education but also in the Arab world.

RunayaySoft

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-131
Author(s):  
Juan Camilo González Vargas ◽  
Angela Carrillo-Ramos ◽  
Ramon Fabregat ◽  
Lizzeth Camargo ◽  
Maria Caridad García Cepero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Learning Styles ◽  
Multiple Intelligences ◽  
Learning Style ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Functional Prototype ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Disciplinary Area ◽  
Selection Of

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe a support system to the selection of enrichment activities in educational environment called RunayaySoft, where Runayay comes from the word Quechua that means develop and Soft as it is an informatics tool that supports the educational institutions and their students, in the selection of activities that allow foster some of their skills based on their interests, learning styles, aptitudes, multiple intelligences, preferences and so on. Moreover, it suggests institutions about the activities that they should make in their building considering student´s characteristics and the agreements that they have. Design/methodology/approach It does a diagnostic for identifying which characteristics are going to be considered to students and institutions. Then, it generates adaptive profiles with the aim of generating suggestions of enrichment activities that allow to boost some of their skills. For the students were considered their preferences, learning style, aptitude, multiple intelligences and interests. In the case of institutions were the agreements, resources and activities that they develop. Based on this information, it defines the relations for the generation of suggestions of activities toward students, where it does the prioritization of which activities should be considered. Findings For validating the system, it was done as a functional prototype that generates suggestions to students, as well as educative institutions, through a satisfaction test student assess if they agree or disagree with the suggestions given. With that assessment, it is validated the relationship between student’s characteristics, activity and institution are related for generating activities suggestions. Research limitations/implications RunayaySoft generates adaptive profiles for the students, activity and institution. Each profile has information that allows adapt an advice toward students and institutions. Social implications RunayaySoft considers student’s characteristics, activities and educational institutions for generating suggestions for enrichment activities that allow to boost some of their skills. Many times, when activities are generated in educative institutions, they are not considered a learner’s needs and characteristics. For that reason, the system helps institutions to identify activities that should be done in their facilities or with those institutions which they have agreements when the institutions that students come from do not have the required resources. Originality/value RunayaySoft suggests enrichment activities to students as well as educative institutions. For students, it suggests disciplinary areas where they can boost their skills; for each disciplinary area are recommended activities based on their preferences. Once students select the disciplinary area and activities, the system suggests educative institutions activities that they can do. If the institutions do not have the necessary facilities, the system shows with which other institutions they can set agreements. Moreover, it supports educative institutions to identify enrichment clusters, where it clusters students based on similar interest, allowing institutions to identify the activities that they should focus on.

Exploring the reliability and validity of the learning styles questionnaire (LSQ) in an Arab setting

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 446-464
Author(s):  
D.A. Yousef
Keyword(s):  
Learning Styles ◽  
Learning Style ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Item Analysis ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Educational Settings ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Two Samples

Purpose This study aims to examine the reliability and validity of the learning style construct conceptualized by Honey and Mumford (1986) in educational settings in the United Arab Emirates. Design/methodology/approach Two independent samples from the UAE were used: one comprised 1,463 undergraduate students at the UAE University, and the other comprised 152 undergraduate students at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah. The data were analyzed using Cronbach’s alpha, inter-correlations and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Findings Measured by alpha coefficients, the outcomes suggest that the learning styles questionnaire (LSQ) had moderate internal consistency in both samples. The inter-correlations reveal positive (weak to modest) correlations among the four learning styles for both samples, implying a lack of support for the two bipolar dimensions proposed by Kolb. CFA failed to support the four learning styles described by Honey and Mumford. Research limitations/implications This study used only two samples to test the reliability and validity of the instrument. Second, other statistical tools (e.g. test-retest, item analysis) usually used to determine the reliability and validity of instruments were not used. Furthermore, the study was conducted over a short period; nonetheless, it has various implications for researchers, educators and managers. Originality/value This investigation represents the first attempt to assess the LSQ’s reliability and validity in educational settings in the UAE. The findings contribute to the study of learning styles and instruments testing.

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