Learning approaches in Argentinean high school and university students

Learning approaches allow us to know how students perceive and learn academic content. The local university system records high rates of student failure and dropout at the beginning of the academic year. For this reason, the learning approaches of high school and university students are analyzed. The Two-Factor Study Process Questionnaire was applied to 797 students (44 % high school; 56 % university students). The internal structure of the instrument was first analyzed with samples of high school and university students. Then a MANCOVA found multivariate effects of the variables sex, educational level and interaction between sex and educational level, on learning approaches. It is concluded that the questionnaire presents adequate psychometric properties in both groups of students. In addition, differences in approaches were observed between high school and university students, and educational activities aimed at improving academic results during the transition period can be planned.