Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of preference for the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (VAK) learning modality (Gardner, 1999) of baby boomers, Generation Xers, and millennials as perceived by military students currently on active duty in the U.S. military attending college. A secondary purpose was to determine the strategies that are most and least beneficial to the learning experience of VAK learning-modality students in the classroom. Methodology. This study focused on the active-duty military student currently enrolled in college with University of La Verne's Point Mugu Regional Campus in Ventura County. The survey was distributed to a sample of 100 participants within the population. A total of 100 surveys was completed and returned to the researcher, for a return rate of 100%. Findings. All active-duty military members randomly chosen agreed to participate in the study, resulting in a 100% response rate. The millennial cohort had the largest number of participants, at 67 (or 67%); the Generation X cohort amounted to 32 (or 32%); and the lowest number of participants was the baby boomer cohort, with only 1 (or 1%) of the total number of participants. Conclusions. As the next decade evolves, the active-duty military student currently enrolled in college will change, and the primary generational cohort will need to be studied again to make sure colleges and universities are meeting the needs of these adult learners. The better prepared academic institutions are, the stronger their abilities will be to meet the learning preferences of the active-duty military student currently enrolled in college. Recommendations. Replicate this study in another geographical area to see if there are similar findings about the learning preferences of the active-duty military student currently enrolled in college in the three generational cohorts; conduct this study and select military veterans who are currently enrolled in college using their educational benefits from having served in the U.S. military; analyze and evaluate the effect of community college/universities and their ability to assist military veterans and their academic needs; and look at the three current generations (baby boomers, Generation Xers, and millennials) and replicate the study, adding the newest generation, "Gen 2020.".