Learning Styles and the Class Participation Rate of Grade 11 Students in General Mathematics

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The ability to learn is possessed by humans, some learning is immediately introduced by a single event, but much skill and knowledge accumulate from repeated experiences. As such, individuals learn best in their own unique ways. By identifying the learning styles of individuals, one can acquire an understanding of the appropriate teaching method by teachers and a more correct method of learning by students. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effects of various students' learning styles to their class participation rate in General Mathematics.

METHODS

A correlational method was used in this study with a validated questionnaire as a research instrument. The study made use of 184 respondents out of 341 Grade 11 students of Buhaynasapa National High School, School Year 2017-2018, across tracks and strands.It was obtained through random sampling with the use of Slovin's Formula at a 5% margin of error.

RESULTS

The study revealed that 33% of the respondents' population are visual learners, 24% are social learners, 18% are verbal learners, both 8% are solitary and kinesthetic learners, and 5% are logical learners. However, the remaining 4% comprises aural learners. On the other hand, most of the respondents are frequently participating in group work generated a composite mean of 3.25. However, written activities are the least rated are with the obtained mean of 3.15, still interpreted as frequently participate. When correlated with the learning styles of students, the computed p-values of class discussion, oral recitation, written activities, and group work are less than the 0.05 level of significance. Thus, students learning styles are significant to the extent of their class participation in General Mathematics.

DISCUSSIONS

There are seven known types of learning styles namely visual, aural, verbal, kinesthetic, logical, social and solitary. Among these styles, visual and social learning are the most prevalent. Majority of the respondents are frequently participating in class discussion, oral recitation, written activities, and group work. In addition, students' learning styles are significant to the extent of their class participation in General Mathematics. Clearly, there is a need to review current teaching practices to align the learning styles of students with demands of the competencies stipulated in General Mathematics resulting in an enhanced teaching and learning process.