Learning styles of first-year undergraduate nursing and midwifery students: A cross-sectional survey utilising the Kolb Learning Style Inventory

Journal article


D'Amore, Angelo, James, Santhamma and Mitchell, Eleanor K. L.. (2012). Learning styles of first-year undergraduate nursing and midwifery students: A cross-sectional survey utilising the Kolb Learning Style Inventory. Nurse Education Today. 32(5), pp. 506 - 515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2011.08.001
AuthorsD'Amore, Angelo, James, Santhamma and Mitchell, Eleanor K. L.
Abstract

It is important that educators understand their students' learning styles. In this study we investigate the learning styles of first-year undergraduate nursing and midwifery university students and whether these learning styles are influenced by student demographic characteristics.

A cross-sectional survey including demographic questions and the Kolb Learning Style Inventory was utilised. There was a 78% response rate (n = 345).

The majority of first-year students investigated in this study were divergers (29.5%), followed by assimilators (28.8%), accommodators (23.9%) and convergers (17.9%). Female students had a higher reflective observation (RO) score than male students (p = 0.0078). Those with English as first language showed a higher active experimentation score (p = 0.0543) and a lower concrete experience (CE) score (p = 0.0038). Australian citizens and permanent residents had a higher RO score (p = 0.0560) and a lower CE score (p = 0.0100) than migrants and international students. Nursing/arts students had a higher abstract conceptualisation (AC) score than nursing students (p = 0.0013). Students enrolled in 4–5 subject units had a higher AC score than those enrolled in 1–2 units (p = 0.0244).

Nursing and midwifery students are mainly of the diverger and assimilating learning styles. Some student demographic characteristics show a significant influence on learning styles. This study has teaching and research implications.

Keywordstertiary education; midwifery students; nursing students; Kolb Learning Style Inventory
Year2012
JournalNurse Education Today
Journal citation32 (5), pp. 506 - 515
PublisherChurchill Livingstone
ISSN0260-6917
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2011.08.001
Scopus EID2-s2.0-84862565795
Page range506 - 515
Research GroupSchool of Arts
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Controlled
Place of publicationUnited Kingdom
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