The impact of learning styles on academic performance in adolescent students

This study examines the relationship between learning styles such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic and academic performance in adolescent students. The objective is to determine whether a student's dominant learning style significantly influences achievement across subjects. Data were collected from 200 high school students (ages 14-18) who completed the VARK learning style questionnaire. Academic performance was assessed using GPA and subjectspecific grades in math, science, language arts, and physical education. The analysis reveals correlations between learning styles and success in specific subjects. Visual learners performed better in math and science, benefiting from diagrams and charts. Auditory learners excelled in language arts due to the verbal nature of instruction, while kinesthetic learners performed best in physical education, where movement-based learning is emphasized. However, overall GPA did not vary significantly by learning style, suggesting that factors such as motivation and study habits also influence academic success. These findings emphasize the importance of aligning teaching methods with students' learning preferences. While certain styles enhance performance in specific subjects, a multimodal teaching approach is recommended to optimize student engagement and learning outcomes. Educators and curriculum designers should integrate visual, auditory, and kinesthetic elements into teaching strategies to accommodate diverse learners. Further research is needed to explore how blended teaching methods incorporating multiple learning styles can enhance student success.