The Relationship between Multimedia Technologies, Student's Learning Styles, and Academic Performance

Academic Paper from the year 2019 in the subject Psychology - Learning Psychology, Intelligence Research, grade: 3, , course: Psychology Department, language: English, abstract: The experimental study assessed the relationship between student's academic performances in different levels of multimedia enrichment. Students with different learning performances were given instruction in different levels of multimedia enrichment, including: audio visual, audio aided, printed multicolour and printed plain instructional materials. Multiple choices and matching item questions were used to assess their performance in pre and post treatment situations. The results were compared with student's academic performance in national examination. Correlation analysis was used to assess the strength and direction of the linear relationship between performance in different multimedia enrichment levels and student's potentials. It was revealed that there was a strong and positive correlation between performance in audio visual and audio aided and student's academic potentials but there was no significant correlation between performance in both printed modes and academic performances. Also, boys scored higher than girls in three instructional modes namely: audio aided printed multicolour, and printed plain, while girls scored higher only in the audio visual mode. The study recommends that instructional materials should be prepared in multimedia mode so as to benefit both normal and disabled students. The Ministry of Education and Vocational Training should amend school curriculum so as to accommodate multimedia technology as well as training of teachers on multimedia technology.

Dr. Hyasinta Kessy works with The Open University of Tanzania, Faculty of Education, Department of Psychology and Special Education. She has been trained in several professions including: Diploma in Agriculture, Diploma in Education, Diploma in Educational Management & Administration (ADEM), Bachelor of Education (Psychology & Geography), Masters in Psychology as well as PhD in Learning and Multimedia. Dr Hyasinta Kessy has been a teacher in Secondary Schools, Teacher Training Colleges, and several Universities. She has also undertaken trainings in Agriculture, Agro Forestry, Educational Management, ICDL, Online Facilitation, and many others Her projects include: integration of HIV/AIDS in Secondary Schools Curriculum, Integration of ICT in teaching and learning, OER, Teacher's Facilitation in Preparation of Multimedia Instructional Materials and EPICA Project. She has published several papers in Psychology, ICT, ODL, & ICT for students with disabilities and learning in Multimedia. Dr Hyasinta Kessy has supervised many students in undergraduate, Masters, and PhD levels in Tanzania, Africa, and Overseas. Dr Hyasinta Kessy has written several books including Social Psychology, Language & Literacy in Early Childhood Education, Managing Special Needs in Special and Inclusive Settings as well as Competence Based Curriculum & E-Portfolio