The application of Witkin's Field-dependent, Field-independent learning style in entrepreneurship education: A case of agricultural extension and education students at Razi University

Document Type : Scientific - Research

Authors

1 Razi University

2 Shahid Beheshti University

Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive-correlational study was to determine students' learning modalities using Witkin's field-dependent and field-independent learning style (1976). Using stratified random sampling, 135 students in the Department of Agricultural Extension and Education participated in the study. Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT) was used to collect data. Results revealed that the majority of students were field-dependent. This learning style clearly indicates that students are skillful in recognizing entrepreneurial opportunities. However, they were not competent in other entrepreneurial process such as planning, coordinating, and venture creation. Moreover, males favored field-independent learning style whereas females preferred a field-dependent learning style. Results of this study have some implications for choosing adequate learning styles for entrepreneurship education. Further recommendations are given based on the findings of the study.
 

Keywords


Allinson, C. W.; Chell, E.; & Hayes, J. (2000). Intuition & entrepreneurial behavior. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 9 (1), pp. 31-43.
Barkley, A. (1995). Learning style and student achievement. NACTA  Journal, 51(4), pp. 16-22.
Baron, R. A. (1998). Cognitive mechanisms in entrepreneurship: Why and when Entrepreneurs think differently than other people. Journal of Business Venturing, 13 (40), pp. 275-294.
Baron, R. A. (2006). The cognitive perspective: A valuable tool for answering entrepreneurship’s basic “why?” questions. Journal of Business Venturing, 19 (2), pp. 221-239.
Busentiz, L. W. & Barney, J. B. (1997). Differences between entrepreneurs and manager in large organizations: Biases and heuristics in strategic decision-making. Journal of Business Venturing, 12 (1), pp. 9-30.
Cano, J. & Garton, B. L. (1994). The relationship between agriculture preserves teachers learning style and performance in methods of teaching agriculture course. Journal of Agricultural Education, 35(2), pp. 6-10.
 Davis, A. (2006). Learning styles and personality type preferences of community development extension educators. Journal of Agricultural Education, 47 (1), pp. 90-99.
Dembo, M. H. (1991). Applying educational psychology in the classroom. New York: Longman press, pp. 78-101.
De Noble, A. F.; Jung, D.; & Herich, S. B. (1999). Entrepreneurial self-efficacy: The development of a measure and its relationship to entrepreneurial action. In R.D. Reynolds, W.D. Bygrave, S. Manigar, C.M. Mason, G.D. Meyer, H.J. (Eds.), Frontiers of Entrepreneurship Research. Waltham, MA: P & R Publications Inc., pp. 73-87.
Garger, S. & Guild, P. (1984). Learning styles: The critical difference. Curriculum Review, 23 (1), pp. 9-12.
 Garton, B. L.; Spain, J. N.; Lamberson, W. R.; & Spiers, D. E. (1999). Learning   styles, teaching performance, and student achievement: A relational Study. Journal of Agricultural Education, 40 (3), pp. 11-20.
Kahneman, D. (2003). Maps of Bounded Rationality: Psychology for Behavioral Economics. The American Economic Review, 93 (5), pp. 1449-1475.
 Krejcie, R. V. & Daryale W. M. (1970). Determining sample size for research activities. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 30 (3), pp. 607-610.
Kolvereid, L. M. (1997). Is entrepreneurship make a difference? Journal of European industrial Training, 21 (4), pp. 154.
Leonard, H. H.; Scholl, R. W.; & Kowalski, K. B. (1999). Information processing style and decision making. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 20, pp. 404-420.
Miner, J. B. (1997). A Psychological typology of successful entrepreneurs.London: Quorum Books.
Mitchell, R. (2002). Toward a Theory of Entrepreneurial Cognition: Rethinking the People Side of entrepreneurship Research. Entrepreneurship Theory Practice, 27 (2), pp. 93-140.
Olson, P. D. (1985). Entrepreneurship: Process and abilities. American Journal of Small Business, 10 (1), pp. 25-31.
Peterman, N. E. & Kennedy, J. (2003). Enterprise education: Influencing students' perception s of entrepreneurship: Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice 28 (2), pp. 129-144.
Rudd, R.; Baker, M.; & Hoover, T. (1998). Student and faculty learning style within academic unit in the academic units in the University of Florida's College of    Agriculture. NACTA Journal, 42(30), pp. 18-24.
Shane, S., & Vankataraman, S. (2000). The Promise of Entrepreneurship as field of research. The Academy of Management Review, 25 (1), pp. 217-226.
Slovic, P.; Finucane, M. L.; Peters, E.; & McGregor, D. G. (2004). Risk as Analysis and risk as feelings: Some thoughts about affect, reason, risk, and rationality. Risk Analysis, 24 (2), pp. 311-322.
Timmons, J. A. (2005). New Venture Creation.Boston, Irwin: McGraw-Hill
Witkin, H. A. (1976). Cognitive style in academic performance teacher. In S. Mesick (Eds.), Individuality and Learning.San FranciscoCA: Jossey-Bass.