Learning Approaches of University Students

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to identify the learning approach (deep, surface, strategic) preferences of undergraduate students and to reveal the relationships between their preferences and the variables of teaching-learning processes (teaching-learning environment perceptions , university, subject fields, academic achievement, and their grades). The data of the study have been gathered through the administration of two inventories (Learning Approaches Inventory and Teaching-Learning Environment Perception Inventory) developed by the researcher which was applied to 3428 undergraduate students studying at Hacettepe University, Mersin University and Süleyman Demirel University. Findings of the study reveal that (1) although undergraduate students have a higher tendency of applying deep learning approach in handling a learning topic, they prefer surface and strategic learning approaches at a considerable degree, (2) significant relationships have been identified between learning approach preferences of the students and the variables of teaching-learning processes (teaching-learning environment perceptions, university, subject fields, academic achievement, grade).