TY - JOUR

T1 - Measuring Learning Styles with Questionnaires Versus Direct Observation of Preferential Choice Behavior in Authentic Learning Situations

T2 - The Visualizer/Verbalizer Behavior Observation Scale (VV-BOS)

AU - Leutner, Detlev

AU - Plass, Jan L.

PY - 1998/12/1

Y1 - 1998/12/1

N2 - Research on learning styles and their assessment has been the focus of growing interest due to rapid advances in educational multimedia applications. As an alternative to conventional questionnaires, the VV-BOS, a computer-based instrument for direct observation of students' preference for visual or verbal learning material in an authentic learning situation, was developed. A study with 103 second language learners was conducted to assess the reliability and validity of the scale scores provided by this instrument. The visualizer/verbalizer scale scores were highly reliable. They correlated moderately with corresponding VVQ and ELSIE questionnaire scale scores. Students' learning outcome could successfully be predicted using the VV-BOS scale, but not using the questionnaire scales. The results indicate that the direct observation of students' preferential choice behavior is a promising alternative to conventional questionnaires for the assessment of individual differences in multimedia training and instruction.

AB - Research on learning styles and their assessment has been the focus of growing interest due to rapid advances in educational multimedia applications. As an alternative to conventional questionnaires, the VV-BOS, a computer-based instrument for direct observation of students' preference for visual or verbal learning material in an authentic learning situation, was developed. A study with 103 second language learners was conducted to assess the reliability and validity of the scale scores provided by this instrument. The visualizer/verbalizer scale scores were highly reliable. They correlated moderately with corresponding VVQ and ELSIE questionnaire scale scores. Students' learning outcome could successfully be predicted using the VV-BOS scale, but not using the questionnaire scales. The results indicate that the direct observation of students' preferential choice behavior is a promising alternative to conventional questionnaires for the assessment of individual differences in multimedia training and instruction.

KW - Psychology

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0032309575&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/S0747-5632(98)00023-5

DO - 10.1016/S0747-5632(98)00023-5

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:0032309575

VL - 14

SP - 543

EP - 557

JO - Computers in Human Behavior

JF - Computers in Human Behavior

SN - 0747-5632

IS - 4

ER -