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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 Mitchell, Eleanor K. L.
D'Amore, Angelo
James, Santhamma
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.
Keywords
tertiary education, midwifery students, nursing students, Kolb Learning Style Inventory
Date
2012
Type
Journal article
Journal
Nurse Education Today
Book
Volume
32
Issue
5
Page Range
506-515
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled