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Integrative Practicum Program - Learning Styles
Educational theorists have identified and studied many styles of learning but without a doubt none of them have ever done clinical nursing. What is presented here is a brief look at of two theories of learning which faculty have found most relevant in clinical nursing education. In most any learning setting an adult learner will use one of each of these two learning styles:
Active / Reflective and Visual / Verbal
No one learning style is inherently better than the other; in fact research supports that a balance between each is desirable. Most adults vary their use of these two depending on the complexity and comfort of the learning situations they encounter. The faculty promote that you discuss these learning styles with your student early in the preceptorship to gain an understanding of the student’s preferences and to discuss your own. Later, if any problems in learning occur, you might evaluate the use of these styles and adapt your approach, if appropriate.
ACTIVE LEARNING
Students who have a preference for using this learning style will say that they learn best by doing something active with the information like discussing it or being physically engaged in a procedure. They prefer a “Let’s try it out and see how it works” approach.
REFLECTIVE LEARNING
Students who have a preference for using this learning style will say that they learn best by thinking it through quietly first. They often prefer to do this reflection alone and often feel most comfortable in applying this learning alone. The latter is restricted by the need for you to observe to evaluate them and insure patient safety.
The student who operates extensively in active learning may act without considering the results and the student who only utilizes reflective learning may spend too much time thinking and may never get anything done. In either case clinical learning and even safety can be jeopardized. Analyze your own preferred learning styles and your student’s.
VISUAL LEARNING
Students who have a preference for using this learning style will say that they learn best by observing. For them, being able to initially see you do something (especially situation-specific procedures) would help their retention of the content. Encourage the student to draw diagrams, make lists, use worksheets to enhance visual learning.
VERBAL LEARNING
Students who have a preference for using this learning style will say that they learn best by verbal explanations. For them being able to initially discuss with you before the procedure would help their retention of that content. Encourage the student to engage in group discussions with other staff members, and encourage verbal reports.
Most adults learn best when information is presented both visually and verbally. As new learning opportunities are identified, there can be no better learning technique than you doing a process or procedure and talking about it at the same time .