Application-based teaching is expected to enhance student's learning motivation and appreciation for the importance of the principles of soil science. The objectives were to assess the relationships of learning style to student performance using web-based application lessons designed to integrate principle concepts in soil genesis and development. The three web-based application lessons were in topics of agroecosystems, ecology, and environmental science. Lessons were used in freshman and sophomore level soil science courses at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Colorado State University, and Oregon State University, in the Fall of 2006. An online based pre-test was administered prior to introducing the lessons in the classroom. An online post-test was administered immediately after lesson use by students. The test instruments were categorized according to Bloom's taxonomy. Students also completed the Kolb Learning Style Inventory (KLSI). A Student Assessment of Learning Gains (SALG) survey was completed by students within 10 days of lesson use.