Learning preferences of first year nursing and midwifery students: Utilising VARK

Journal article


James, Santhamma, D'Amore, Angelo and Thomas, Theda. (2011). Learning preferences of first year nursing and midwifery students: Utilising VARK. Nurse Education Today. 31(4), pp. 417 - 423. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2010.08.008
AuthorsJames, Santhamma, D'Amore, Angelo and Thomas, Theda
Abstract

The diversity of first year students is increasing with new schemes promoting access to higher education courses. It is important to assess the learning styles of students in order to cater for their differing learning needs. The aim of this study was to profile first year nursing/midwifery students at two campuses of Australian Catholic University, to investigate their learning preferences and the effect demographic background has on these preferences. We designed a survey to collect demographic data and incorporated the VARK (visual, aural, read–write and kinaesthetic) questionnaire to investigate the students' preferred learning modes.

The kinaesthetic score of our students was the highest (7.34 ± 2.67), significantly differing from the other three modes (p < 0.001). Demographic factors such as gender and age group did not influence mean scores of each sensory modality. The predominant preference was quadmodal utilising all four learning styles. The distribution of students preferring to learn by unimodal, bimodal, trimodal and quadmodal styles varied between demographic groupings. The rural students had significantly higher visual and kinaesthetic scores compared to their metropolitan counterparts. Students attending the rural campus had higher visual and read–write scores. Visual and aural scores were significantly lower for students from non-English speaking backgrounds. These findings have significant teaching and research implications.

Keywordslearning preferences; VARK; first year university students; nursing education
Year2011
JournalNurse Education Today
Journal citation31 (4), pp. 417 - 423
PublisherElsevier Ltd
ISSN0260-6917
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2010.08.008
Scopus EID2-s2.0-79954630332
Page range417 - 423
Research GroupSchool of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Controlled
Place of publicationUnited Kingdom
Permalink -

https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/89015/learning-preferences-of-first-year-nursing-and-midwifery-students-utilising-vark

Restricted files

Publisher's version

  • 88
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 6
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month
These values are for the period from 19th October 2020, when this repository was created.

Export as

Related outputs

Alternative and complementary therapies in osteoarthritis and cartilage repair
Fuggle, N. R., Cooper, C., Oreffo, R. O. C., Price, A. J., Kaux, J. F., Maheu, E., Cutolo, M., Honvo, G., Conaghan, P. G., Berenbaum, F., Branco, J., Brandi, M. L., Cortet, B., Veronese, N., Kurth, A. A., Matijevic, R., Roth, R., Pelletier, J. P., Martel-Pelletier, J., ... Reginster, J. Y.. (2020). Alternative and complementary therapies in osteoarthritis and cartilage repair. Aging Clinical and Experimental Research. 32(4), pp. 547-560. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-020-01515-1
Students' perspectives of early assessment tasks in their first year at university
Thomas, Theda, Jacobs, Diane, Hurley, Laurine, Martin, Jenny, Maslyuk, Svetlana, Lyall, Mark and Ryan, Matthew. (2019). Students' perspectives of early assessment tasks in their first year at university. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education. 44(3), pp. 398-414. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2018.1513992
Implementing first-year assessment principles: an analysis of selected scholarly literature
Thomas, Theda. (2018). Implementing first-year assessment principles: an analysis of selected scholarly literature. Student Success. 9(2), pp. 25 - 38. https://doi.org/10.5204/ssj.v9i2.410
Teaching the history threshold learning outcomes to first-year students
Clark, Jennifer, Jones, Adrian, Thomas, Theda, Allen, Pamela, Cole, Bronwyn, Lawrence, Jill, Burns, Lynette S. and Wallace, Joy. (2018). Teaching the history threshold learning outcomes to first-year students. In In J. Clark and A. Nye (Ed.). Teaching the discipline of history in the age of standards pp. 59 - 87 Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0047-9
Strategies for leading academics to rethink humanities and social sciences curricula in the context of discipline standards
Thomas, Theda, Wallace, Joy, Allen, Pamela, Clark, Jennifer, Jones, Adrian, Lawrence, Jill, Cole, Bronwyn and Burns, Lynette S.. (2017). Strategies for leading academics to rethink humanities and social sciences curricula in the context of discipline standards. International Journal for Academic Development. 22(2), pp. 120 - 133. https://doi.org/10.1080/1360144X.2017.1285239
Quality of life after hip, vertebral, and distal forearm fragility fractures measured using the EQ-5D-3L, EQ-VAS, and time-trade-off: results from the ICUROS
Svedbom, A., Borgström, Fredrik, Hernlund, E., Ström, O., Alekna, V., Bianchi, Maria L., Clark, P., Curiel, M. D., Dimai, Hans P., Jürisson, M., Uusküla, A., Lember, M., Kallikorm, R., Lesnyak, Olga, McCloskey, Eugene, Ershova, Olga, Sanders, Kerrie, Silverman, S., Tamulaitiene, M., ... Kanis, John. (2017). Quality of life after hip, vertebral, and distal forearm fragility fractures measured using the EQ-5D-3L, EQ-VAS, and time-trade-off: results from the ICUROS. Quality of Life Research. 27(3), pp. 707 - 716. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-017-1748-5
Quality of life for up to 18 months after low-energy hip, vertebral, and distal forearm fractures-results from the ICUROS
Svedbom, A., Borgstöm, F., Hernlund, E., Ström, O., Alekna, V., Bianchi, M. L., Clark, P., Curiel, M. D., Dimai, Hans P., Jürisson, M., Kallikorm, R., Lember, M., Lesnyak, Olga, McCloskey, Eugene, Sanders, Kerrie, Silverman, S., Solodovnikov, A., Tamulaitiene, M., Thomas, T., ... John, Handelshogskolan i Stockholm. (2017). Quality of life for up to 18 months after low-energy hip, vertebral, and distal forearm fractures-results from the ICUROS. Osteoporosis International. 29(3), pp. 557 - 566. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-017-4317-4
Identification and management of patients at increased risk of osteoporotic fracture: Outcomes of an ESCEO expert consensus meeting
Kanis, J. A., Cooper, C., Rizzoli, R., Abrahamsen, B., Al-Daghri, N. M., Brandi, M. L., Cannata-Andia, J., Cortet, B., Dimai, H. P., Ferrari, S., Hadji, P., Harvey, N. C., Kraenzlin, M., Kurth, A., McCloskey, E., Minisola, S., Thomas, T. and Reginster, J.-Y.. (2017). Identification and management of patients at increased risk of osteoporotic fracture: Outcomes of an ESCEO expert consensus meeting. Osteoporosis International. 28(7), pp. 2023 - 2034. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-017-4009-0
Quality of life for up to 18 months after low-energy hip, vertebral, and distal forearm fractures - results from the ICUROS
Svedbom, A., Borgstom, F., Hernlund, E., Strom, Oskar, Alekna, V., Bianchi, Maria L., Clark, Patricia M., Curiel, M. D., Dimai, Hans P., Jurisson, Mikk, Kallikorm, R., Lember, M., Lesnyak, Olga, McCloskey, Eugene, Sanders, Kerry M., Silverman, S., Solodovnikov, A., Tamulaitiene, M., Thomas, T., ... Kanis, John. (2017). Quality of life for up to 18 months after low-energy hip, vertebral, and distal forearm fractures - results from the ICUROS. Osteoporosis International. 29(3), pp. 557 - 566. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-017-4317-4
Designing first-year sociology curricula and practice
Thomas, Theda, Rechter, Sue, Wallace, Joy, Allen, Pamela, Clark, Jennifer, Cole, Bronwyn, Burns, Lynette Sheridan, Jones, Adrian and Lawrence, Jill. (2017). Designing first-year sociology curricula and practice. Asian Social Science. 13(4), pp. 1 - 13. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v13n4p1
Erratum to: identification and management of patients at increased risk of osteoporotic fracture: outcomes of an ESCEO expert consensus meeting
Kanis, John, Cooper, Cyrus, Rizzoli, Rene, Abrahamsen, Bo, Al-Daghri, N. M., Brandi, Maria L., Cannata, J. B., Cortet, B., Dimai, Hans P., Ferrari, S., Hadji, P., Harvey, Nicholas C., Kraenzlin, M., Kurth, Andreas, McCloskey, Eugene, Minisola, Salvatore, Thomas, T. and Reginster, Jean Y.. (2017). Erratum to: identification and management of patients at increased risk of osteoporotic fracture: outcomes of an ESCEO expert consensus meeting. Osteoporosis International. 28(11), pp. 3285 - 3286. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-017-4161-6
Online Science Modules for Transition to University in Health Sciences
James, Santhamma, Morris, Genevieve Margaret and Martinac, Belinda. (2016). Online Science Modules for Transition to University in Health Sciences. In A. L. Martinez and I. C. Torres (Ed.).
A framework for first year curriculum design and pedagogy: Intersecting the threshold learning outcomes, disciplinary knowledge and the first year pedagogy principles
Lawrence, Jill, Allen, Pamela, Thomas, Theda, Wallace, Joy, Clark, Jennifer, Jones, Adrian, Cole, Bronwyn and Burns, Lynette Sheridan. (2016). A framework for first year curriculum design and pedagogy: Intersecting the threshold learning outcomes, disciplinary knowledge and the first year pedagogy principles. Students Transitions Achievements Retention & Success (STARS) Conference. Australia: Students Transitions Achievements Retention & Su.... pp. 1 - 10
How learning styles and preferences of first-year nursing and midwifery students change
Mitchell, Eleanor, James, Santhamma and D'Amore, Angelo. (2015). How learning styles and preferences of first-year nursing and midwifery students change. Australian Journal of Education. 59(2), pp. 158 - 168. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004944115587917
Renewing first year curricula for social sciences and humanities in the context of discipline threshold standards
Thomas, Theda, Allen, Pamela, Clark, Jennifer, Cole, Bronwyn, Jones, Adrian, Lawrence, Jill, Sheridan Burns, Lynette, Wallace, Joy and Wilmot, Julie. (2015). Renewing first year curricula for social sciences and humanities in the context of discipline threshold standards Sydney, Australia: Department of Education, New South Wales.
Engaging first year lecturers with threshold learning outcomes and concepts in their disciplines
Thomas, Theda, Wallace, Joy, Allen, Pamela, Clark, Jennifer, Cole, Bronwyn, Jones, Adrian, Lawrence, Jill and Sheridan Burns, Lynette. (2014). Engaging first year lecturers with threshold learning outcomes and concepts in their disciplines. 17th International FYHE Conference 2014. Australia: First Year in Higher Education. pp. 1 - 10
First impressions: Effective use of the first week of university
Thomas, Theda. (2014). First impressions: Effective use of the first week of university. International Journal of Pedagogy and Curriculum. 20(4), pp. 65 - 76.
The International Costs and Utilities Related to Osteoporotic Fractures Study (ICUROS) - Quality of life during the first 4 months after fracture
Borgstrom, F., Lekander, I., Ivergard, M., Strom, O., Svedbom, A., Alekna, V., Bianchi, M. L., Clark, P., Curiel, M. D., Dimai, H. P., Jurisson, M., Kallikorm, R., Lesnyak, O., McCloskey, E., Nassonov, E., Sanders, K. M., Silverman, S., Tamulaitiene, M., Thomas, T., ... Kanis, J. A.. (2013). The International Costs and Utilities Related to Osteoporotic Fractures Study (ICUROS) - Quality of life during the first 4 months after fracture. Osteoporosis International. 24(3), pp. 811 - 823. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-012-2240-2
Obesity and asthma at school entry: Co-morbidities and temporal trends
James, Santhamma, Pezic, Angela, Ponsonby, Ann, Lafferty, Tony, Glasgow, Nicholas, Ciszek, Karen, Kljakovic, Marjan and Douglas, Kirsty. (2013). Obesity and asthma at school entry: Co-morbidities and temporal trends. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.12160
Challenges of assuring the development of graduate attributes in a Bachelor of Arts
Fraser, Kym and Thomas, Theda. (2013). Challenges of assuring the development of graduate attributes in a Bachelor of Arts. Higher Education Research and Development. 32(4), pp. 545 - 560. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2012.704594
Has distance learning become more flexible? Reflections of a distance learning student
Thomas, Theda. (2012). Has distance learning become more flexible? Reflections of a distance learning student. Interdisciplinary Journal of E-Learning and Learning Objects. 8, pp. 39 - 49.
Learning styles of first-year undergraduate nursing and midwifery students: A cross-sectional survey utilising the Kolb Learning Style Inventory
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
Adapting team-based learning to the interpersonal communication class
Thomas, Theda. (2012). Adapting team-based learning to the interpersonal communication class. International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning. 7(1), pp. 51 - 61. https://doi.org/10.5172/ijpl.2012.7.1.51
Business students' experience of community service learning
Clinton, Ide and Thomas, Theda. (2011). Business students' experience of community service learning. Asia-Pacific Journal of Cooperative Education. 12(1), pp. 51 - 66.
Developing First Year Students' Critical Thinking Skills
Thomas, Theda. (2011). Developing First Year Students' Critical Thinking Skills. Asian Social Science. 7(4), pp. 26 - 35. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v7n4p26
Assessment and Standards for Graduate Outcomes
Wood, Leigh N., Thomas, Theda and Rigby, Brendan. (2011). Assessment and Standards for Graduate Outcomes. Asian Social Science. 7(4), pp. 12 - 17. https://doi.org/10.5539/ass.v7n4p12
Learning in the community :Students experience of community service
Clinton, Ide and Thomas, Theda. (2010). Learning in the community :Students experience of community service. Proceedings of the ACEN National Conference. Australia: Australian Collaborative Education Network. pp. 73 - 82
Can we help information systems students improve their ethical decision making?
Thomas, Theda and Ahyick, Mary. (2010). Can we help information systems students improve their ethical decision making? Interdisciplinary Journal of Information, Knowledge, and Management. 5, pp. 209 - 224. https://doi.org/10.28945/1160
Embedding Generic Skills Means Assessing Generic Skills
Dixon, Peter, Daly, Anne, Clark-Murphy, Marilyn, Rigby, Brendan, Petocz, Peter, Kavanagh, Marie, Lees, Nicole, Leveson, Lynne, Thomas, Theda and Wood, Leigh. (2009). Embedding Generic Skills Means Assessing Generic Skills. In John Milton, Cathy Hall and Josephine Lang (Ed.). Assessment in Different Dimensions. Melbourne, Australia: Australian Technology Network. pp. 321 - 330
Scaffolding strategies for teaching introductory programming
Thomas, Theda, D'Souza, Christopher and Kazlauskas, Alanah Lucille. (2009). Scaffolding strategies for teaching introductory programming. In F. Yun, S. Wong and C. Zhao (Ed.). Doctoral student consortium proceedings of the 17th international conference on computers in education. Hong Kong, China: Asia-Pacific Society for Computers in Education. pp. 32 - 36
Embedding Group Work in the First Year Experience
Kazlauskas, Alanah Lucille, Davis, Timothy, Thomas, Theda, Thornton, Leighana and Gimel, Sophie. (2007). Embedding Group Work in the First Year Experience. In Jason Thomas (Ed.). 10th Pacific Rim First Year in Higher Education; Conference 2007 - Conference Proceedings. Brisbane,Queensland: QUT Web Solutions. pp. 1 - 10
Embedding critical thinking in is curricula
Thomas, Theda, Davis, Tim and Kazlauskas, Alanah. (2007). Embedding critical thinking in is curricula. Journal of Information Technology Education: Research. 6, pp. 327 - 346.
What were you thinking? Empowering tomorrow's professionals today
Davis, Tim, Thomas, Theda and Kazlauskas, Alanah. (2006). What were you thinking? Empowering tomorrow's professionals today. International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning. 2(1), pp. 34 - 46. https://doi.org/10.5172/ijpl.2.1.35
What Were You Thinking? Empowering Tomorrow's Professionals Today
Davis, Tim, Thomas, Theda and Kazlauskas, Alanah. (2006). What Were You Thinking? Empowering Tomorrow's Professionals Today. International Journal of Pedagogies and Learning. 2(1), pp. 34 - 46. https://doi.org/10.5172/ijpl.2.1.35
Gender differences in students' perceptions of information technology as a career
Thomas, Theda and Allen, Alesha. (2006). Gender differences in students' perceptions of information technology as a career. Journal of Information Technology Education: Research. 5, pp. 165 - 178.
Teaching first year students to communicate their reasoning
Thomas, Theda, Kazlauskas, Alanah and Davis, Tim. (2004). Teaching first year students to communicate their reasoning. In D. Nulty and N. Myers (Ed.). Pacific Rim First Year in Higher Education Conference. Brisbane, Australia: Queensland University of Technology. pp. 1 - 10
Integrating the needs of industry and critical cross-field outcomes at a Technikon: An example from information technology
Thomas, Theda, Schroder, C. and Rishworth, L.. (2003). Integrating the needs of industry and critical cross-field outcomes at a Technikon: An example from information technology. South African Journal of Higher Education. 17(1), pp. 175 - 184.
Working with diverse students: Can lessons learnt in South Africa be applicable in Pan-Pacific region?
Thomas, Theda. (2003). Working with diverse students: Can lessons learnt in South Africa be applicable in Pan-Pacific region? In Dr Duncan Nutly and Dr Noel Myers (Ed.). 7th Pacific Rim First Year in Higher Education; Conference Proceedings (CD). Brisbane, Australia: Queensland University of Technology. pp. 1 - 11
Cooperative learning and objective-oriented methods
Thomas, Theda. (2003). Cooperative learning and objective-oriented methods. In Anne McDougall, John Murnane and Carol Stacey (Ed.). ICT and the Teacher of the Future: Selected papers from the IFIP Working Groups 3.1 and 3.3 Working Conference. Sydney, Australia: Australian Computer Society. pp. 115 - 117
Developing the interpersonal and communication skills necessary for effective requirements engineering
Thomas, Theda and Schroder, Cheryl. (2002). Developing the interpersonal and communication skills necessary for effective requirements engineering. In J. Cybulski, L. Nguyen and J. Lamp (Ed.). Proceedings of the Seventh Australian Workshop on Requirements Engineering. Melbourne,Australia: Deakin University Press. pp. 185 - 197