Over the past decade the SmarterMeasure Learning Readiness Indicator has evolved based on client input as well as our analysis of the data received.  Based on this feedback some revisions are being made to the learning styles section of the assessment. 

RATIONALE FOR THE ENHANCEMENTS:

·         Many schools are concerned about the length of the assessment so an abbreviated version is desired.

·         The variability of the existing three-point scale used to measure learning styles can be improved by using a bipolar, four-point scale.

·         The wording of the existing instrument can be improved because two constructs are mentioned in a single question in some instances. 

WHAT CHANGES?

1. As of September 1, 2010, an optional 21-item instrument will be available to all clients. This abbreviated version still measures each of the seven learning styles. The questions are measured on a 4-point scale.
2. As of October 15, 2010, the 35-item instrument will be slightly modified with improved wording of some questions and the scale will be shifting from a 3-point scale to a 4-point scale.
3. As of October 15, 2010, all new test taker groups created will default to the 21-item instrument in the learning styles section.  However, you may manually choose the 35-item instrument by following the instructions below.
       Login to the SmarterMeasure admin panel.
       Click “Manage Account”   
       Click “Admin & Test Taker Groups”
       Click the test taker group that you’d like to modify
       Scroll to “Tool Order” and under Learning Styles, select Higher Ed 35 item. 

WHAT STAYS THE SAME?    

1. The resulting score report for both the 21 item and 35 item instrument
2. The way the dominant learning style is presented on the test search and export screen
3. Data export process and results
4. All current test taker groups that were previously set to 35-item instrument
    

NOTABLE IMPROVEMENTS - In consultation with our psychometrician, in addition to reducing the number of items from 35 to 21, we also made the following improvements to the learning styles assessment.

1. Item selection – To identify the twenty-one items to remain in the assessment a random sample of 39,000 records were pulled of persons who had completed the learning styles assessment over the past three month period.  Means and standard deviations were calculated for each of the thirty-five items.  Two of the five items per learning style with the lowest mean and broadest standard deviations were identified for deletion.  The rationale is that the items with the lowest mean and broadest standard deviations were the least indicative of a person with that learning style as dominant.

2. Parallel statements - Items were rephrased so that they all begin with “You. …”

3. Expanded scale - The scale was increased form a three point scale to a four point scale.  There are seven learning styles being measured on the scale.  The prior version measured each of the seven types with five statements.  In this revised version of the instrument each of the seven learning styles is measured with three items.  To accommodate for the reduced number of items the three-point scale was increased to a four-point scale.  The research literature on personality inventories indicates that a bi-polar (even number of items on the scale) is preferred over a scale with a mid-point (odd number of items).  Using an odd-numbered scaled with a mid-point persons are likely to choose the middle or neutral option.  But with a four-point scale they have to choose an option on the positive or negative side of the scale. 

4. Item clarity – Some of the prior items were stated in such a way that more than one idea was being presented in the statement.  All statements have now been revised so that only one idea is communicated in each statement.

5. Item order – To ensure that items on the assessment were not grouped by learning style the statements are arranged alphabetically.

Improvements to Learning Styles Section of SmarterMeasure