A COMPARISON OF ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND ATTITUDES TOWARD E-LEARNING ACCORDING TO THE LEARNING STYLES OF TURKISH PHYSIOTHERAPY STUDENTS IN DISTANCE EDUCATION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC PROCESS

Abstract

Purpose: Learning style plays a crucial role in the education process and academic performance. However, there exists no study investigating the academic performance and attitudes toward e-learning according to the learning styles of Turkish physiotherapy students in distance education. Therefore, this study aimed to compare academic performance and attitudes toward e-learning according to the learning styles of Turkish physiotherapy students in distance education. Methods: The study was designed as a cross-sectional study type. Physiotherapy students were divided into 4 groups according to learning styles (visual, n=39, auditory, n=30, tactile, n=37, and kinesthetic, n=30). Their attitudes towards e-learning including the tendency to use technology (TUS), satisfaction, motivation, and usefulness were assessed with the Attitude Scale Towards e-learning (ASTE). Academic grade point averages (AGPA) for the 2020-2021 academic year fall semester were recorded. Results: The visual group had the highest AGPA (p