The Role of Visual/Verbal Cognitive Styles and Self-Efficacy in Online Searching Behaviors and Performance in the Text-Based Learning Environment

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of verbal/visual cognitive styles in self-efficacy, online searching behaviors (i.e. deep diving/fast surfing searching strategies, online searching process) and online performance in the text-based searching environment. There were seventy-four junior high students who enrolled in the course of Chinese participated in this study. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods for data analysis. The content analysis was used to analyze the students on-line searching process and performance, while questionnaires were used to analyze students cognitive styles, self-efficacy, and on-line searching strategies.The result showed that in the text-based learning environment (1) Students verbal cognitive styles significantly predicted their self-efficacy. (2) Students verbal cognitive styles significantly predicted deep diving searching strategies, and negatively correlated to fast surfing strategies. In addition, students with high verbal cognitive style have better online searching process behaviors than those with lower verbal cognitive style. (3) Students self-efficacy significantly predicted deep diving searching strategies, but did not predict searching process in the text-based learning environment (4) Self-efficacy did not significantly predict performance in the text-based learning environment. (5)Students online searching process significantly predicted performance, and fast surfing negatively predicted performance. Although deep diving strategies did not significantly predict online performance, students with higher deep diving strategies performed better than those with lower deep diving behaviors in the text-based learning environment. Finally, implications and suggestions for teaching and future research were provided.