Incorporating learning styles in hypermedia environment: empirical evaluation

In this paper a hypermedia system that incorporates global and sequential learning styles is described. Elements of learning styles such as the sequencing of pages and structure have been incorporated in the courseware. Two different presentation style user interface templates were employed. The system provides an alternative to the “one size fits all” approach to development of web-based educational courseware, by creating learning materials to cater for individual learner preferences. The Felder-Solomon Learning Style Questionnaire was used to measure the learning style preferences of students. Information recall tests were created and scores that were obtained after matched[1] and mismatched[2] sessions have been compared. Significantly higher results were obtained for the matched session compared with the mismatched session. The findings are discussed with respect to their implication for further development of adaptive web based courseware.