VARK learning style preferences among Malaysian university students in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) / Nurul Nadiah Rasdi and Ahmad Najmie Rusli

Students have their own preferred way when it comes to learning. They prefer to learn through visual (V), aural (A), read/write (R), or kinesthetic (K). These four behavioural learning styles are common among the students. The objectives of this study are to identify university students’ learning styles in Open and Distance Learning (ODL), (1) in general and (2) according to gender. A total of 71 diploma students participated in this study. The students were asked to answer an online questionnaire. The data gathered was analysed via SPSS 26, which are frequency, mean, and independent sample t-Test. For research objective 1, it was found that students preferred visual (M-18.92), kinesthetic (M- 18.17), read/write (M-17.54), and aural (M-17.49) learning styles. As for the statement on getting feedback from teachers, the students preferred kinesthetic (M-3.90), followed by read/write (M-3.59), visual (M-3.56), and aural (M-3.54) learning styles. For research objective 2, both male (M-18.52) and female (M-19.48) students prefered visual learning style the most. However, there are differences for the least preferred learning styles as female students least preferred aural (M-17.72), while male students least preferred read/write (M-17.02) learning styles. The findings of this study can help teachers to identify students’ learning styles and use appropriate Learning Management Systems (LMS), tools, and applications to attract and motivate students to learn during ODL.