The Impact of Orang Asli Students’ Learning Styles on Their Achievement of Meaningful Learning

Abstract

Orang Asli was the original people, who are majority of them located in peninsular Malaysia. They are facing a difficulty in education since less meaningful environment created for them which integrate their preferable learning styles. Additionally previous studies show that Orang Asli students had low motivation level in learning since less condusive education enviroment developed for them. Thus, it is important that teachers have a sound understanding of their students’ different learning styles. The significance of understanding students’ learning styles also applies to Orang Asli students. However, perhaps due to their isolation, this group’s need for meaningful education has not been widely studied. Consequently, a lack of literature on their learning styles is apparent. This study aims to measure whether the learning styles positively affect meaningful learning among Orang Asli students. A quantitative research was conducted which involved 72 Orang Asli students from an Orang Asli community in Selangor, Malaysia. The data was collected using the Meaningful Hybrid E-Training Instruments. Data was analyzed with the SmartPLS 3.0 software. The research findings show that the instrument is highly reliable and valid. Moreover, it has been discovered that Orang Asli students’ learning styles have a positive effect upon their meaningful learning. This study demonstrated that teaching and learning activities catering to these students’ different learning styles allow meaningful learning to be achieved more successfully. Therefore, teachers are highly encouraged to take into account the various learning styles of Orang Asli students in their teaching in order to help them achieve meaningful learning.