Preferred Learning Styles in Undergraduate Nursing: Insights from Pakistan

 Author: Sajjad Ahmad did his Masters in public health (MSPH) from SZABIST, Karachi. Currently enrolled as an MScN scholar at Aga khan university hospital, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Karachi. He did his BSN from Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi. Having almost 5 years of experience in teaching at different nursing institutions in Karachi. 

In the field of nursing education, understanding students' preferred learning styles is essential for creating effective teaching strategies. This blog aims to explore the literature on learning styles in undergraduate nursing programs, with a specific focus on Pakistan. By examining the research findings, we can gain valuable insights into the learning preferences of nursing students in Pakistan and their implications for nursing education. Learning styles are key components of educational psychology that influence how students acquire knowledge. They reflect the approaches and strategies individuals employ to learn and understand various subjects(Sam, 2022). Identifying and accommodating students' preferred learning styles can lead to improved academic performance and achievements.

A study conducted with undergraduate nursing students revealed a predominant preference for visual learning over other styles (Hussein Ibrahim & Hussein, 2015). This finding highlights the importance of visual aids, such as diagrams, charts, and videos, in nursing education to facilitate effective learning experiences. Visual learning is preferred mostly by nursing students. A study suggests that 40% of the participants like to learn through visual styles.(Takase & Yoshida, 2021) Research suggests that learning styles have a direct impact on students’ academic performance. While a study in Saudi Arabia found no significant association between learning styles and overall grades among nursing students (Mahmoud, 2019), it emphasized the role of the active reflective learning style in influencing academic outcomes. These findings emphasize the need to consider individual learning preferences when designing nursing curricula. There is a vital impact of learning styles on academic performance which is why it is important to critically analyze the approach of learning of the students and design the curricula of the nursing programs accordingly

Understanding the preferred learning styles of undergraduate nursing students in Pakistan is crucial for designing appropriate teaching approaches and strategies. A study in Coimbatore, India, found that a majority of nursing students preferred visual learning, but a significant percentage did not utilize the library or explore alternative learning styles(Deva Priya et al., n.d.). These findings alarm the importance of providing diverse learning opportunities and resources to cater to the needs of nursing students in Pakistan. As Pakistan is a country of diverse cultures. It is important to understand the complications and problems faced by students when studying in a more diversified culture. The diverse culture would affect the learning of the students. In Pakistan, cultural factors may also influence preferred learning styles among undergraduate nursing students. It is important to recognize the impact of cultural diversity and tailor teaching methodologies accordingly. Considering cultural perspectives and incorporating culturally relevant examples can enhance students' engagement and learning outcomes.

Understanding the preferred learning styles of undergraduate nursing students in Pakistan is crucial for developing effective teaching strategies and curricula. The predominance of visual learning styles among nursing students highlights the importance of incorporating visual aids and resources into nursing education. While cultural factors may influence learning preferences, it is essential to provide diverse learning approaches and resources to cater to the needs of all students.

REFERENCES:

Deva Priya, D., Chavan, G., Thopte, K., Pawar, N., Raut, S., Waghmare, S., & Suji, M. (n.d.). European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine Learning Styles through Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic (VAK) Scale. 07, 2020.

Hussein Ibrahim, R., & Hussein, D. A. (2015). Assessment of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning style among undergraduate nursing students. International Journal of Advanced Nursing Studies, 5(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijans.v5i1.5124

Mahmoud, H. G. (2019). Learning Styles and Learning Approaches of Bachelor Nursing Students and its Relation to Their Achievement. International Journal of Nursing Didactics, 09(03), 11–20. https://doi.org/10.15520/ijnd.v9i03.2465

Sam, B. J. (2022). Identification of learning styles among undergraduate nursing students. International Journal of Health Sciences, 10981–10992. https://doi.org/10.53730/ijhs.v6ns3.8457

Takase, M., & Yoshida, I. (2021). The relationships between the types of learning approaches used by undergraduate nursing students and their academic achievement: A systematic review and meta-analysis. In Journal of Professional Nursing (Vol. 37, Issue 5, pp. 836–845). W.B. Saunders. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2021.06.005