Exploring the Link Between Learning Styles, Academic Performance, And Co-Curricular Activity Participation

Аннотация

This study investigates the relationship COPYRIGHT between students' learning styles, their academic © 2025 Original content from this work may be used under the terms performance, and their participation in co-curricular of the creative commons attributes 4.0 License. activities. The research aims to determine whether specific learning styles are associated with better academic performance and how involvement in co- curricular activities might influence these outcomes. Data were collected from a sample of university students using questionnaires and academic records. The results revealed that students with visual and kinesthetic learning styles exhibited higher academic performance, particularly when they participated in co- curricular activities. The findings suggest that co- curricular participation may complement different learning styles and enhance academic achievement. Keywords: Learning styles, academic performance, co- curricular activities, VARK model, experiential learning, kinesthetic learners, visual learners, auditory learners, multimodal learners, student engagement, higher education, academic success, student involvement, co- curricular participation, learning preferences, student development. Introduction: Academic performance is a critical indicator of a student's success in the educational environment. However, it is not solely determined by cognitive abilities or classroom learning; it is influenced by various factors, including learning styles and engagement in co-curricular activities. Learning styles refer to the preferred ways in which individuals process information, with commonly identified types including European International Journal of Pedagogics 01 https://eipublication.com/index.php/eijp European International Journal of Pedagogics visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners. Research has growing body of research suggests that it is also shaped suggested that students perform better academically by factors beyond individual intelligence. In particular, when their learning styles align with instructional co-curricular activities—those activities that occur methods and when they are actively engaged in outside the classroom but complement formal activities outside of the classroom. education—have been shown to influence academic performance positively. These activities can range from Co-curricular activities—those that complement but sports and arts to volunteering and student are not part of the formal curriculum—include sports, organizations. Participation in co-curricular activities is arts, volunteer work, and leadership roles, among associated with the development of a range of skills, others. Participation in such activities has been linked including teamwork, leadership, time management, and to the development of soft skills such as leadership, emotional intelligence, which are not only beneficial in time management, and teamwork, all of which may a personal context but also enhance students' ability to contribute to academic success. However, the nature manage their academic workload and perform well in of the relationship between learning styles, co- assessments. curricular involvement, and academic performance remains unclear. Co-curricular involvement offers opportunities for experiential learning, a form of learning that emphasizes This study aims to explore the association between the application of knowledge in real-world contexts. For learning styles and academic performance, considering students whose learning styles are not fully addressed the moderating role of participation in co-curricular in traditional academic settings, co-curricular activities activities. Understanding how learning styles and co- may provide an alternative, more effective means of curricular engagement interact can provide valuable acquiring knowledge. For example, kinesthetic learners, insights into improving academic achievement. who struggle with passive learning environments, may 1.Background thrive in sports or laboratory-based activities, where Education is a multifaceted process, and they can apply theory through action. Similarly, understanding the factors that influence students’ students with visual learning preferences may benefit academic success is critical for improving the overall from creative arts or media-based co-curricular educational experience. Academic performance, activities that provide visual stimuli and learning typically assessed through measures such as Grade experiences. Point Average (GPA), is influenced by a myriad of 2. Research Problem and Rationale factors, including cognitive abilities, personal Despite the recognition of the importance of learning motivation, teaching methods, and external factors styles and co-curricular participation in shaping such as engagement in co-curricular activities. As academic success, relatively few studies have examined educational institutions seek ways to enhance student the interrelationship between these factors. Whil