examination of the Kolb LSI and GEFT and their relationship to academic achievement in Web-based and face-to-face nursing courses

Technological advances in computer systems have made the computer a valuable educational tool to both instructors and students. Web-based learning (WBL) is a relatively new instructional delivery mode which is rapidly becoming a staple at all levels of education. Critical shortage areas such as nursing should be able to use properly supported web-based education successfully to help address this shortage. Instructors need to create this support by presenting learning materials in a variety of ways to allow learners choices that can match their Cognitive Styles (CS). This study was designed to determine the relationship between students' CS as measured by the Kolb Learning Style Inventory (LSI) and the Witkin Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) and academic achievement in web-based and face-to-face nursing courses. Knowledge about different CS could assist students, administrators, and instructors to determine the best instructional delivery mode. Properly applied knowledge of individual learning styles could lead to greater academic achievement. This study is divided into two parts and took place in the years 2000--2002. In study one, the Kolb LSI was administered to 153 non-randomly selected nursing students in either web-based or face-to-face classes. Academic achievement was measured as a percentage of total points. No significant difference was found when comparing academic achievement and instructional delivery modes. An Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) showed a significant difference between Kolb learning styles (p < .05). Convergers had higher final mean scores in both face-to-face and web-based classes than either Assimilators or Accommodators. In study two, the Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) was administered to 108 non-randomly selected nursing students enrolled in either web-based or face-to-face classes. No significant difference was found between GEFT scores and academic achievement or between GEFT scores and instructional delivery mode. The field of CS research would benefit from a continued effort towards examination, organization and consensus of the large numbers of labels and types. Future research should examine other populations. Longitudinal studies should be undertaken to determine the stability of CS. Other education focused CS instruments should be used to examine the relationship to learner achievement.