Learning Styles Analysis in Nursing Essay

Introduction

Arguably, the efficacy of teaching and learning in nursing considerably depends on learning methods and learning styles (Boström & Hallin, 2013; Peyman, et al., 2014; Tsingos, Bosnic-Anticevich, & Smith, 2015). As such, different learners adopt different learning styles depending on how effective the learning styles are in meeting learning objectives. It is imperative to note that readiness to learn plays a significant role in learning processes. In addition, a number of factors determine learners’ readiness to learn.

For instance, nursing learners are psychologically and socially heterogeneous with varied characteristics such as different ages, culture, mental preparedness, and levels of intelligence among others. Other factors that affect learning include curricular issues, learning atmospheres, and/or teaching methods. As such, learning modalities among nursing students are diverse even in a single cohort (Fleming, McKee, & Huntley-Moore, 2011). Learning Styles Analysis in Nursing Essay Paper

Thus, for learning effectiveness and efficiency to be augmented in nurse education, learning styles and teaching methods should be organised and individualised, where necessary, to allow the learners recall instinctively the discernment, processing, stored knowledge and nursing concepts (Sinnerton & Leonard, 2014; Crannell & Witte, 2012).

This essay analyses various learning styles, which are adopted by nurse students in my cohort and my preferred learning styles. The essay uses the Kolb’s learning model to classify learning styles. The Kolb’s model is comprised of four categories of learning methods: diverging, assimilating, converging, and accommodating (Tsingos et al., 2015). The cohort members may prefer any of the four Kolb’s styles while I prefer the diverging learning style.Learning Styles Analysis in Nursing Essay Paper

Discussion

My preferred learning style (the diverging learning style)

A nurse learner who prefers the divergent learning style is an open-minded person (Tsingos et al., 2015). In addition, the diverging learner works the best in groups and makes use of observation, reflection, and imagination. According to research, the ‘diverger’ performs the best in sessions that require intensive brainstorming (Mohammadi & Thaghinejad, 2014).

Therefore, I meet my learning goals through learning problems, group work/discussions, and demonstrations. When external factors influence learning and the VARK (Visual/Aural/Read–Write/Kinaesthetic) model is adopted, I use multimodal approaches (Ibrahim & Hussein, 2016; Aina-Popoola & Hendricks, 2014). I can use the VARK methods together to achieve the set nursing educational objectives. However, the kinaesthetic and the visual methods are the most pertinent since observation and brainstorming are the key pillars of the diverging learning style.Learning Styles Analysis in Nursing Essay Paper

Factors that affect my readiness to learn

It is generally agreed that the nurse learning environments are influenced by various factors (Mitchell, James, & D’Amore, 2015). As such, numerous issues, which influence the mental and psychosocial readiness, affect the learner. Factors such as intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, general attitude, self-esteem, and teaching methods adopted by the educators are likely to affect my readiness to learn. In addition, environmental factors such as noise levels, temperature, and lighting among others highly influence my readiness to learn.