Learning Style Tendencies of Early Adult Community Education Students Across Cohorts
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62775/edukasia.v7i1.2139Keywords:
community education; , experiential learning; , learning styles; , early adulthood;, learning tendencies, multimodal pedagogyAbstract
This study examines learning style tendencies among early adult Community Education students and compares their distribution across three cohorts. It responds to limited evidence on Kolb-informed experiential learning tendencies in community education, especially when such data are used for program-level pedagogical reflection rather than psychological labeling. A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive-comparative survey was conducted with total sampling of complete and valid responses from active students in the 2022, 2023, and 2024 cohorts (N = 210). An 18-item practical inventory, conceptually mapped to Kolb's experiential learning dimensions, classified tendencies into diverging, assimilating, accommodating, and converging. Data were analyzed using frequency distribution, cross-tabulation, chi-square test, and Cramer's V. Results showed that diverging was the most common tendency (34.8%), followed by assimilating (33.8%), accommodating (19.5%), and converging (11.9%). Cross-cohort differences were not statistically significant (χ²(6, N = 210) = 4.60, p = .596, V = .10). The findings indicate a stable reflective profile and support multimodal experiential pedagogy for classroom learning and community lab-site practice.
Downloads
References
Boateng, G. O., Neilands, T. B., Frongillo, E. A., Melgar-Quiñonez, H. R., & Young, S. L. (2018). Best Practices for Developing and Validating Scales for Health, Social, and Behavioral Research: A Primer. Frontiers in Public Health, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2018.00149
Boelens, R., De Wever, B., & Voet, M. (2017). Four key challenges to the design of blended learning: A systematic literature review. Educational Research Review, 22, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2017.06.001
Bond, M., Buntins, K., Bedenlier, S., Zawacki-Richter, O., & Kerres, M. (2020). Mapping research in student engagement and educational technology in higher education: a systematic evidence map. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 17(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-019-0176-8
Brookfield, S. D. (2017). Becoming a critically reflected teacher 2nd ed.. (Vol. 2). CA: Jossey Bass. https://doi.org/10.37074/jalt.2019.2.2.22
Coffield, F. , Moseley, D. , Hall, E. , & Ecclestone, K. (2004). Learning Styles and Pedagogy in Post-16 Learning: A Systematic and Critical Review. Learning and Skills Research Centre.
Creswell, J. W. , & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage.
Deslauriers, L., McCarty, L. S., Miller, K., Callaghan, K., & Kestin, G. (2019). Measuring actual learning versus feeling of learning in response to being actively engaged in the classroom. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(39), 19251–19257. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1821936116
Dillard, N., Sisco, S., & Collins, J. C. (2024). Expanding Experiential Learning in Contemporary Adult Education: Embracing Technology, Interdisciplinarity, and Cultural Responsiveness. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 2024(184), 30–38. https://doi.org/10.1002/ace.20539
Eberhardt, D. (2017). Generation Z Goes to College: An Opportunity to Reflect on Contemporary Traditional College Students. Journal of College and Character, 18(3), 221–223. https://doi.org/10.1080/2194587X.2017.1338583
Fawns, T. (2022). An Entangled Pedagogy: Looking Beyond the Pedagogy—Technology Dichotomy. Postdigital Science and Education, 4(3), 711–728. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42438-022-00302-7
Fiorella, L., & Mayer, R. E. (2016). Eight Ways to Promote Generative Learning. Educational Psychology Review, 28(4), 717–741. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-015-9348-9
Gallo, N. W. M. De, Hilmi, M. I., Fajarwati, L., Sintiawati, N., & Mutaqin, A. (2025). Integrasi Life Skills berbasis Andragogi untuk Meningkatkan Kesiapan Kerja di LKP Cheerful. Diklus: Jurnal Pendidikan Luar Sekolah, 9(2), 140–153. https://doi.org/10.21831/diklus.v9i2.80959
Hattie, J. A. C., & Donoghue, G. M. (2016). Learning strategies: a synthesis and conceptual model. Npj Science of Learning, 1(1), 16013. https://doi.org/10.1038/npjscilearn.2016.13
Henríquez, V., Castillo Rabanal, I., & Santana Abásolo, J. (2025). Applying Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle for Deep Learning: A Systematic Literature Review. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 12, 102096. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.102096
Hilmi, M. I. , Hendrawijaya, A. T. , Hufad, A. , Sintiawati, N. , & Sucianingsih, S. (2026). Beyond Ritual: The Slametan Tradition as a Transformative Adult Learning Space in the Osing Community. JPPM (Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat), 13(1), 21–33.
Hilmi, M. I., Hendrawijaya, A. T., Hufad, A., Kamil, M., Wahyudin, U., & Indrianti, D. T. (2025). Indigenous Learning: Community Learning Culture to Achieve SDG’s 2 (pp. 222–233). https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-525-6_23
Illeris, K. (2003). Adult education as experienced by the learners. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 22(1), 13–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/02601370304827
Khotimah, K., Sintiawati, N., Hilmi, M. I., & Kusumawardani, E. (2025). Pentahelix Education: Collaborative Synergy to Reduce Stunting Prevalence. JPPM (Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat), 12(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.21831/jppm.v12i1.80399
Kim, H.-Y. (2017). Statistical Notes for Clinical Researchers: Chi-squared Test and Fisher’s Exact Test. Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics, 42(2), 152. https://doi.org/10.5395/rde.2017.42.2.152
Kirschner, P. A. (2017). Stop Propagating The Learning Styles Myth. Computers & Education, 106, 166–171. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2016.12.006
Knowles, M., Robinson, P. A. ;, & Caraccioli, Corina. (2025). The Adult Learner 10th Edition (10th ed.). Routledge.
Kolb, A. Y., & Kolb, D. A. (2005). Learning Styles and Learning Spaces: Enhancing Experiential Learning in Higher Education. Academy of Management Learning & Education, 4(2), 193–212. https://doi.org/10.5465/amle.2005.17268566
Kolb, D. A. (2015). Experiential Learning: Experience As The Source Of Learning And Development (2nd Ed). Pearson Education.
Kolb, D. (2018). Experiental Learning: Experiece as The Source of Learning and Development. Prentice-Hall Inc.
Kuluşaklı, E. (2026). Learning Strategies and Learning Styles in Distance Learning in Higher Education. Frontiers in Psychology, 16. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1659561
Manolis, C., Burns, D. J., Assudani, R., & Chinta, R. (2013). Assessing Experiential Learning Styles: A Methodological Reconstruction and Validation of The Kolb Learning Style Inventory. Learning and Individual Differences, 23, 44–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2012.10.009
McHugh, M. L. (2013). The Chi-square Test of Independence. Biochemia Medica, 143–149. https://doi.org/10.11613/BM.2013.018
Morris, T. H. (2020). Experiential Learning – A Systematic Review and Revision of Kolb’s Model. Interactive Learning Environments, 28(8), 1064–1077. https://doi.org/10.1080/10494820.2019.1570279
Neroni, J., Meijs, C., Gijselaers, H. J. M., Kirschner, P. A., & de Groot, R. H. M. (2019). Learning strategies and academic performance in distance education. Learning and Individual Differences, 73, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2019.04.007
Newton, P. M., & Miah, M. (2017). Evidence-Based Higher Education – Is the Learning Styles ‘Myth’ Important? Frontiers in Psychology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00444
Pashler, H., McDaniel, M., Rohrer, D., & Bjork, R. (2008). Learning styles: Concepts and evidence. Psychological Science in the Public Interest. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 9(3), 105–119. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6053.2009.01038.x
Raes, A., Detienne, L., Windey, I., & Depaepe, F. (2020). A Systematic Literature Review on Synchronous Hybrid Learning: Gaps Identified. Learning Environments Research, 23(3), 269–290. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-019-09303-z
Rapanta, C., Botturi, L., Goodyear, P., Guàrdia, L., & Koole, M. (2020). Online University Teaching During and After the Covid-19 Crisis: Refocusing Teacher Presence and Learning Activity. Postdigital Science and Education, 2(3), 923–945. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42438-020-00155-y
Sánchez-Altamirano, F. R., & Rodríguez-Rodríguez, E. M. (2025). Preferencias de Aprendizaje en Estudiantado Universitario de la Generación Z. Revista Electrónica Educare, 29(2), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.15359/ree.29-2.19996
Tavakol, M., & Dennick, R. (2011). Making Sense of Cronbach’s Alpha. International Journal of Medical Education, 2, 53–55. https://doi.org/10.5116/ijme.4dfb.8dfd
Theobald, E. J., Hill, M. J., Tran, E., Agrawal, S., Arroyo, E. N., Behling, S., Chambwe, N., Cintrón, D. L., Cooper, J. D., Dunster, G., Grummer, J. A., Hennessey, K., Hsiao, J., Iranon, N., Jones, L., Jordt, H., Keller, M., Lacey, M. E., Littlefield, C. E., … Freeman, S. (2020). Active Learning Narrows Achievement Gaps for Underrepresented Students in Undergraduate Ccience, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(12), 6476–6483. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1916903117
UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning. (2022). CONFINTEA VII Marrakech Framework for Action: Harnessing the transformational power of adult learning and education. UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning.
Vlachopoulos, D., & Makri, A. (2024). A Systematic Literature Review on Authentic Assessment in Higher Education: Best Practices for The Development of 21st Century Skills, and Policy Considerations. Studies in Educational Evaluation, 83, 101425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stueduc.2024.101425
Winstone, N., & Carless, D. (2019). Designing Effective Feedback Processes in Higher Education. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781351115940
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Muhammad Irfan Hilmi, Jajat Sudrajat Ardiwinata, Deditiani Tri Indrianti, Sucianingsih Sucianingsih, Lutfi Ariefianto

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.




