The Effects of The Effects of Extracurricular Activities Extracurricular Activities and Learning Styles on and Learning Styles on

College GPACollege GPA

Charla McKinzieCharla McKinzie

Bowie State UniversityBowie State University

Study Purpose (optional)Study Purpose (optional) While academic achievement has been linked to While academic achievement has been linked to

greater occupational success, increased greater occupational success, increased financial standing, and better psychosocial and financial standing, and better psychosocial and physical health, factors that promote academic physical health, factors that promote academic achievement still require further exploration. achievement still require further exploration.

The current study addresses such issues by The current study addresses such issues by exploring aspects of extracurricular activity and exploring aspects of extracurricular activity and learning styles in relationship to academic learning styles in relationship to academic achievement in post-secondary education.achievement in post-secondary education.

Results may be useful for the development of Results may be useful for the development of college retention techniques that promote college retention techniques that promote academic success.academic success.

HypothesesHypotheses

1.1. The first hypothesis is that students who The first hypothesis is that students who participate in extracurricular activities have participate in extracurricular activities have higher grades and are more likely to be active higher grades and are more likely to be active learners. learners.

2.2. The second hypothesis is that those who The second hypothesis is that those who participate in indoor activities have higher participate in indoor activities have higher GPAs and active learning scores than those GPAs and active learning scores than those who participate in outdoor activities. who participate in outdoor activities.

3.3. The final hypothesis is that indoor activities and The final hypothesis is that indoor activities and high active learning scores significantly predict high active learning scores significantly predict higher GPAs.higher GPAs.

ParticipantsParticipants

146 Students 88 Women/58 Men Average Age = 24 Race

• African American (N =121, 82.9%), • White, (N= 7), • Latino (N =7), • Asian (N =1), • Native American, and (N = 2) and • Six participants indicated their race as Other.

MeasuresMeasures

GPA (1.0 – 4.0 M = 3.0)GPA (1.0 – 4.0 M = 3.0) Extracurricular Activities (Indoor N= 22; Outdoor Extracurricular Activities (Indoor N= 22; Outdoor

N =31)N =31) Active Passive/Learning Styles – how engaged Active Passive/Learning Styles – how engaged

one is in their coursework (M = 35.07)one is in their coursework (M = 35.07)

ResultsResults

1. The first hypothesis is that students who participate in extracurricular activities have higher grades and are more likely to be active learners.

• Extracurricular Activities & GPA, r = .103, p = .431; active/passive learning styles and GPA, r = .426, p =.001

2. The second hypothesis is than those who participate in indoor activities have higher GPAs and active learning scores than those who participate in outdoor activities.

• GPA = t (46) = 3.518, p = .001, and higher active learning scores = t (35.675) 2.109, p = .042

3. The final hypothesis is that indoor activities and high active learning scores significantly predict higher GPAs.

• R2 = .196, F (2, 45) = 5.488, p = .007. • active learning scores were a unique predictor of GPA, t (47) =

2.409, p = .02

Discussion (Remember to keep it Discussion (Remember to keep it simple – grandma!)simple – grandma!)

The results of this study suggest the following:The results of this study suggest the following: Students who are more prepared for class have Students who are more prepared for class have

higher grades that students who are not prepared.higher grades that students who are not prepared. Students who engage in outdoor activities have lower Students who engage in outdoor activities have lower

grade and are less prepared for class than those who grade and are less prepared for class than those who engage in outdoor activities.engage in outdoor activities.

Preparedness for class is a significant factor in Preparedness for class is a significant factor in predicting GPA.predicting GPA.

ImplicationsImplications

It is important to encourage students to It is important to encourage students to participate in indoor activities as well as participate in indoor activities as well as outdoor activities in order to have greater outdoor activities in order to have greater academic success.academic success.

Being prepared for class greatly Being prepared for class greatly contributes to success.contributes to success.