INFLUENCE OF FIELD DEPENDENCE AND INDEPENDENCE LEARNING STYLES ON ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN KATSINA ZONAL EDUCATION

Ahmed Alhassan & Aliyu Abubakar

Abstract

This study examined the influence of field dependence and field independence learning styles on academic performance among Senior Secondary School Students in Katsina Zonal Education. The study employed descriptive survey research design. Nineteen Schools were randomly selected from the target population of 12,540 Students, 368 students were selected to make the sample for the study. The study adapted Witkin’s Embedded Figure Test. and Academic Performance Test in Biology and English (APTB and APTE) at 0.87 reliability co-efficient. The statistics used for data analysis was the t-test for independent sample. Two hypotheses were tested at 0.5 level of significance, Result shows that the p-value (0.025) which is less-than the alpha value of 0.05, While null hypothesis 2 with p-value (0.056)is retained, it is therefore recommended that conducive environment must be created to generate new ideas and awaken curiosity and an innovative spirit. Teachers should try as much as possible to carry all students along using variety of teaching methods, irrespective of their styles of learning or course of study, teachers should try as much as possible to identify student learning styles.