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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10791/218

Title: An exploratory study of Ontario college electrical engineering students’ learning styles
Authors: Tracz, Warren
Supervisor(s): Dr. Susan Moisey
Examining Committee: Dr. Cynthia Blodgett-Griffin, Center for Distance Education
Dr. Beth Perry, Faculty of Health Disciplines
Degree: M.Ed.(DE)
Department: Centre for Distance Education
Keywords: Learning styles
VAK
Kolb
Communication preferences
College students
Engineering technology
Post-secondary education
Distance education
Instructional design
Case study
Issue Date: 31-Jan-2017
Abstract: This exploratory case study sought to determine the learning styles of Ontario college electrical engineering students using the Barsch Learning Style Inventory (VAK) and Kolb 3.1 learning style instruments. The findings are compared to previously conducted university studies. In addition to learning style, basic demographic data as well as Internet-based communication preferences in academic pursuits were obtained from six participants. The results indicate that this convenience sample of technical college electrical engineering students have kinesthetic and accommodator styles, which differ from their university counterparts who tend to have visual, assimilator, or converger preferences. These findings support the long standing instructional traditions found in electrical engineering community college programs where hands-on laboratory and project activities focus on application. These findings can aid college faculty in the development and delivery of engineering courses in online, blended, and distance education formats, as well as guide additional research on such programs.
Graduation Date: Mar-2016
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10791/218
Appears in Collections:Theses & Dissertations

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