Learning Style for Student Nurses

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Recommended: Importance of knowing students learning styles

In this essay I will be discussing the importance of understanding learning styles for student nurses. I will also be focusing on the learning cycle and learning style using the Honey and Mumford 80 questionnaire. I look into the details of how learning style helps students to understand the importance of recognising one’s learning style preference. I will also provide an understanding of learning and learning theories and discuss my own dominant learning style and how I aim to deal with my weaknesses to progress well in the nursing programme.

Learning is defined as a permanent change in attitude or behaviour that occurs as a result of repeated experience (Sims & Sims, 1995). Understanding one’s learning style has many advantages as it can help one to identify the learning method or activities that can help to optimise the learning experience. It has been suggested that the importance of one’s learning style has been identified through studies and research on how one can maximise the potential for success and further learning development (Honey & Mumford, 2006). Learning styles are unique to each individual and are developed in childhood (Chase, 2001). We all have different personalities; therefore we all have preferred learning styles that suit us best. The way one learns depends on preference. Some learn by observing, listening and imitating others and draw conclusions from their experience. There are several factors that affect our learning style; for example, background, culture, religion and environment can have a major influence on one’s learning.

There are several types of learning styles that are recognised. The basic form, which is well known, is associative learning, making new associations between events in the envi...

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...es of David Kolb's theory of experiential learning. Retrieved May 2, 2014, from http://www.reviewing.co.uk/research/experiential.learning.htm#axzz30qWboDKM
Honey, P. & Mumford, A. (2006). The Learning Style Questionnaire 80-item Version. London: Pearson Assessment.
Jasper, M. (2003). Beginning Reflective Practice. Cheltenham: Nelson Thorn Ltd.
Sims, R. & Sims, S. (1995). The importance of learning styles: understanding the implications for learning, course design, and education. London: Greenwood Press.
Witzig, S. M. (2004). Learning style preferences and learning strategies in intensive care nurse educator. 2. Retrieved from http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv.php?pid=UQ:10348&dsID=smwetzig.pdf
Yildirim, B. & Ozkahraman, S. (2011). Critical Thinking in Nursing and Learning Styles. 1. Retrieved from http://www.ijhssnet.com/journals/Vol_1_No_18_Special_Issue/15.pdf

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