THE INFLUENCE OF LEARNING STYLES ON CAREER CHOICES OF SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

When examining learning and how to increase student learning, it is necessary to comprehend how individuals learn. Learning is the totality of a person's gained life experiences through the socializing process. It goes beyond the simple learning of facts or the mastery of abilities, as it also encompasses the accumulation of an individual's life experiences that are largely permanent in nature and have survival value for him (Mukherjee, 2022). It is generally acknowledged that, while it is feasible to identify similar fundamental aspects, the learning process differs on an individual basis.

Different individuals learn in various ways. This is the foundation of the learning styles field of research. Personality influences the learning methods of individuals. A sequential learner, for instance, tends to follow steps in a logical order. A global learner will acquire knowledge by considering the larger picture and piecing together apparently unrelated pieces of information. Some people seem to retain knowledge better when it is given mathematically, whilst others prefer verbal presentation.

According to Keefe (2022), a person's learning style comprises all cognitive, emotional, and psychological traits that reflect his or her views of the environment. According to Lome, (2022), learning styles are essential not just for learning, but also for navigating our daily lives. Styles of learning are a person's preferences for absorbing knowledge, solving issues, and achieving success in social and personal contexts. They may have educational and occupational ramifications. Although a great deal is known about how temperature, light, and sound impact humans individually, little is known about how these components combine. Little is known about how the school and classroom environment influences the learning process and style. Learning may occur in a variety of locations, including the home, the playground, and the classroom. A student carries with him to the classroom all of his prior training and experience, a form of internal environment that makes him a significant environmental element for others. A learning environment is therefore more than what an engineer can measure in a student's immediate physical surroundings; it comprises everything within and outside the area a child occupies that influences his learning style throughout a certain learning routine (Lome, 2022).

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE STUDY

Some academics and educators believe that learning styles have little impact on a student's career decision or academic success (Ekpo, 2022). They argue that academic achievement and, ultimately, job decisions are totally determined by the intellect of the individual student. On the opposite end of the spectrum, some researchers claim that it is impossible to overstate the significance of a good learning style adapted to an individual student's chosen learning technique. Therefore, they encourage the adoption of an appropriate learning style so that children may quickly acquire and remember information (Ben, 2022). In addition, they believe that individuals are more likely to pick and thrive in a career when the demands of the work align with their preferred learning style. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the true link between learning style and career selection.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The major objective of this study is to examine the influence of learning styles on career choices of senior secondary school students. Specifically, other objectives of this study are:

i.          To determine whether there is any relationship between learning style and career choices of adolescents in secondary schools.

ii.        To determine if there is any relationship between gender and learning styles among adolescents in secondary schools.

iii.      To determine whether there is a difference between learning styles and students’ perception  of the learning environment.

iv.      To determine whether there is any relationship between learning styles and career preferences of early and late adolescents.

1.4 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

The following research null hypotheses will validate this study:

H01: There is no relationship between learning style and career choices of adolescents in secondary schools.

H02: There is no relationship between gender and learning styles among adolescents in secondary schools.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The findings will aid Guidance counselors in advising students to make appropriate career decisions based on their talents and skills.

Teachers will benefit from the study since it will assist them in understanding different learning styles so that they can give students with the optimal learning environment.

The research will assist students in developing effective learning methods.

This research will also inform parents of the reasons why students make poor career decisions and how they may assist.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

Mainly, this study is centred on the influence of learning styles on career choices of senior secondary school students. Specifically, this study is focused on determining whether there is any relationship between learning style and career choices of adolescents in secondary schools, determining if there is any relationship between gender and learning styles among adolescents in secondary schools, determining whether there is a difference between learning styles and students’ perception  of the learning environment and determining whether there is any relationship between learning styles and career preferences of early and late adolescents.

School counselors and students of selected secondary schools in Makurdi, Benue State will serve as the respondents of this study.

1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

Mainly, this study is limited to the influence of learning styles on career choices of senior secondary school students. Specifically, this study is limited to determining whether there is any relationship between learning style and career choices of adolescents in secondary schools, determining if there is any relationship between gender and learning styles among adolescents in secondary schools, determining whether there is a difference between learning styles and students’ perception  of the learning environment and determining whether there is any relationship between learning styles and career preferences of early and late adolescents.

School counselors and students of selected secondary schools in Makurdi, Benue State will serve as the respondents of this study, hence further research is required if the findings of this study is to be used any where else.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Learning styles: Learning styles refer to a range of theories that aim to account for differences in individuals' learning. Many theories share the proposition that humans can be classified according to their "style" of learning, but differ in how the proposed styles should be defined, categorized and assessed.

Career choice: The selection of a vocation, usually on the basis of such factors as parental guidance, vocational guidance, identification with admired figures, trial or part-time jobs, training opportunities, personal 

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