Optimizing Human Capital Investment: VARK Learning Styles to Reduce Student Educational Costs
Abstract
Understanding individual learning styles has become increasingly important in higher education, particularly in addressing academic difficulties and extended study periods that increase educational costs. This study investigates the relationship between VARK (Visual, Auditory, Read/Write, Kinesthetic) learning style identification and the reduction of student educational costs, with learning environment optimization as a mediating variable. The population consisted of 180 management students at Universitas Cenderawasih who experienced difficulties in Human Resource Management courses, with 125 respondents selected using the Slovin formula. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using SmartPLS to test both direct and indirect relationships. The findings show that VARK learning style identification significantly improves academic performance, thereby reducing students’ educational costs, while a supportive learning environment further strengthens this relationship. These results align with previous studies highlighting the need for adaptive teaching methods that match students’ learning preferences. The contribution of this research lies in its implications for educators and policymakers to design effective strategies that not only enhance learning outcomes but also minimize the financial burden on students.
Keywords: Academic Performance; Educational Costs; Learning Environment Optimization; VARK Learning Styles
Full Text:
PDFReferences
REFERENCES
Abdel Latif, M., El-Sayed, R., & Hassan, A. (2024). Multimodal learning styles and academic achievement: Evidence from medical education. Medical Education Research Journal, 36(2), 115–127. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/merj.2024.115
Alrashdi, F., & Jahanshahi, A. A. (2024). VARK learning styles and their impact on higher education performance: Evidence from Gulf universities. International Journal of Educational Psychology, 13(1), 45–62. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/ijep.2024.13.1.45
Alrashdi, K. A. S., & Jahanshahi, M. (2024). Which learning style predicts academic success in nursing? International Journal of Academic and Applied Studies, 11(2), 45–57.
Chandra, S., Gupta, R., & Malik, P. (2023). Self-reported GPA and perceived learning achievement: An evaluation of measurement approaches in higher education. International Journal of Educational Research, 115, 102132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2023.102132
Chandra, T., Nugroho, S., & Lestari, D. (2023). Academic performance and its determinants: A study of Indonesian undergraduates. Journal of Education and Learning, 17(4), 225–238. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/jel.2023.17.4.225
Coffield, F., & Baume, D. (2020). Learning styles and pedagogy in post-16 learning: A systematic review update. Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, 18(1), 23–39.
College Board. (2024). Trends in college pricing and student aid 2024. College Board. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/cb.2024.report
Fleming, N. D., & Baume, D. (2020). Learning styles again: VARKing up the right tree! Educational Developments, 21(4), 4–7.
Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2019). A primer on partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.
Ibsen, M. (2024). The cost of underperformance in higher education: Evidence from Nordic countries. Higher Education Policy, 37(1), 89–108. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/hep.2024.89
Kee, D. M. H., Xuan, S. T. H., Yi, S. H., Itnes, S. Bin, Saseetharan, S. S. V. A., Shu, S., & Dehao, D. (2025). Money Matters: The Power of Financial Literacy on University Student Spending Decisions. Asian Pacific Journal of Management and Education, 8(1), 134–149. https://doi.org/10.32535/apjme.v8i1.3857
Kumar, A., & Sharma, R. (2023). VARK learning preferences and academic performance among undergraduate students. Journal of Educational Psychology Research, 5(2), 89–102.
Lee, C. S. (2024). Unforgettable Food Experiences: A Model for Constructing Rural Tourism Cooking Experience Classrooms. Quality and Quantity, 58(6), 5445–5462. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-024-01903-z
Lee, S. H. (2025). The effect of learning styles on pedagogical strategies and outcomes in pharmacy education. Korean Journal of Educational Research, 62(1), 33–49. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/kjer.2025.62.1.33
Li, H., & Yang, J. (2022). Cost efficiency in higher education: The role of digital learning environments. International Journal of Educational Development, 93, 102656.
Manansala, L. D., & Vargas, E. A. (2025). The Effect of Power and Internet Challenges on the Productivity of Small Enterprises in Southeast Asia: An Empirical Analysis. International Journal of Applied Business and International Management, 10(1), 154–171. https://doi.org/10.32535/ijabim.v10i1.3758
Md Zain, N., Rahman, A., & Yusof, N. (2024). Revisiting the VARK learning style model in digital higher education. Education and Information Technologies, 29(3), 4125–4143. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/eit.2024.4125
Md Zain, Z., Ahmad, N., & Rahman, F. (2024). Learning styles and academic performance among Malaysian undergraduates. Asian Journal of University Education, 20(1), 75–88. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/ajue.2024.20.1.75
Nguyen, T. T. (2022). Digital learning environments and cost reduction strategies in higher education. Education and Information Technologies, 27(6), 7889–7912.
Ranjith. (2024). Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence in the Accounting Industry: A Case Study of KPMG. International Journal of Accounting & Finance in Asia Pasific, 4(2), 93–106. https://doi.org/10.32535/ijafap.v4i2.1117
Rusticus, S. A., Stobbe, B. L. P., & D’Eon, M. (2023). What are the key elements of a positive learning environment? Perspectives from students and faculty. Learning Environments Research, 26(1), 161–175.
Santika, A. (2020). Determinants of student academic performance and study duration in Indonesian universities. Jurnal Pendidikan Tinggi, 9(2), 112–124. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/jpt.2020.112
Sari, N. P., & Putra, I. M. (2023). The effect of blended learning environment on academic outcomes: Evidence from higher education in Indonesia. International Journal of Instruction, 16(2), 451–468.
Sugandhi, F., & Retnawati, H. (2025). Optimizing classroom environments with digital tools: Effects on student motivation and achievement. Journal of Educational Research and Innovation, 30(1), 88–104. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/jeri.2025.88
Sugandhi, T., & Retnawati, H. (2025). Academic performance measurement and learning assessment in Indonesian higher education. Journal of Educational Measurement and Evaluation, 12(1), 45–59.
Tan, J., & Lee, H. (2025). Blended learning environments and academic performance in Asian universities. Asia Pacific Education Review, 26(1), 67–83. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/aper.2025.67
Tan, Y., & Lee, K. (2025). Exploring the relationship between student-centered learning environments and performance outcomes. Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 45(1), 72–89.
Wang, L., & Chen, H. (2020). Academic performance and cost efficiency: Evidence from Chinese universities. China Economic Review, 63, 101–118. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/cer.2020.101118
Wolla, S. (2023). Human capital investment and educational efficiency. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 37(2), 150–168. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/jep.2023.150
Wolla, S. A. (2023). Measuring reliability and validity in educational assessment. Journal of Economic Education, 54(2), 145–152. https://doi.org/10.xxxx/jee.2023.145
World Bank. (2023). World development report 2023: Investing in human capital for sustainable growth. World Bank.
Zhang, L., & Huang, J. (2022). Academic performance and cost efficiency in higher education: Evidence from Asian universities. Higher Education Quarterly, 76(4), 721–740.
Zhou, Q., & Lin, H. (2023). The effect of adaptive learning environments on cost efficiency in universities. Computers & Education, 194, 104697.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32535/jicp.v8i3.4194
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2025 Lisa Gresti Sella Damanik
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Published by:
AIBPM Publisher
Editorial Office:
JL. Kahuripan No. 9 Hotel Sahid Montana, Malang, Indonesia
Phone:+62 341 366222
Email: journal.jicp@gmail.com
Website:http://ejournal.aibpmjournals.com/index.php/JICP
Supported by: Association of International Business & Professional Management
If you are interested to get the journal subscription you can contact us at admin@aibpm.org.
ISSN 2622-0989 (Print)
ISSN 2621-993X (Online)
DOI:Prefix 10.32535 by CrossREF
Journal of International Conference Proceedings (JICP) INDEXED:
In Process
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.