Exploring the Link Between Learning Styles and Gender Among Distance Learners

The main theme of this study is to identify the USM distance learners learning styles preferences across gender with their preferred usage of videoconferencing delivery modes in SDE-USM, namely live, streaming and recording. The theoretical foundation for this study is the Grasha-Reichmann learning styles model such as independent, dependent, competitive, collaborative, avoidant and participative. A total of 394 respondents answered the questionnaire distributed to them and collected data were analyzed using descriptive analysis (mean and standard deviations). The SPSS software version 17 was utilized for data analysis. This study showed that majority of the female students favored independent, competitive, dependent, participative and collaborative learning styles whereas male students were avoidant learners. The researchers recommend that further studies explore other learning style theories with other delivery methods besides including a larger sample from different institutions.