The value of pedagogical preferences: A case of personality and learning environments in higher education

Abstract

To improve learning outcomes, research evidence has accumulated regarding the principles of teaching and learning; however, students’ perceptions of teaching methods have received little scientific investigation toward enhanced quality of their learning. To provide a demonstration of the value of researching student perceptions of the learning environments in which they find themselves, a sample of preference ratings (n = 69) was examined to test the hypothesis there exist among the Five Factor personality dimensions correlates of preference ratings for three environments: teacher-led, independent-autonomous, and groups. Results confirmed preference for group learning in our sample and statistically reliable zero-order positive correlations between group-based learning preference and both extraversion and openness scores and between preference for teacher-led environments and openness scores. First-order correlations showed no significant changes in accounted preference variation when controlling the other personality factors scores. These findings are discussed with respect to likely social-cognitive and neurodevelopmental bases of group learning effectiveness and the utility of investigating student preferences for improving the quality of learning.