Educational orientations of college students: A typological analysis

Previous research on student typological models has centered on undergraduates' general philosophies of higher education. This study focused on students' more specific views of the purposes of education, desired teaching-learning arrangements, and roles with faculty in academic decision-making. Undergraduates (N = 3,628) completed the Student Orientations Survey, and orientation scale scores were used in a multidimensional typological analysis. Five distinct student learner profiles were identified; coefficients of group homogeneity and between-groupF's supported the uniqueness of each group profile. Discussion centered on various implications for postsecondary institutions regarding the use of a typological scheme premised on student orientations and learning preferences.Presented at the American Educational Research Association Conference, March 28, 1978.