The learning styles of nursing students at a distance teaching university

Abstract

Individuals have unique ways of perceiving and organising information, which are referred to as learning styles. By becoming informed about individual learning styles the educator is in a better position to support the learner in the learning process. A descriptive correlational study was done to investigate the learning styles of nursing students at Unisa. In this research project a postal questionnaire was used to determine their learning styles. Research data were gathered on the demographic and academic profile of Unisa nursing students in order to determine their specific needs. Learning styles were correlated with various constructs (academic achievement, distance teaching, home language). It was concluded that awareness of individual learning styles is important to assure quality improvement in nursing education. Both learner and educator need to be knowledgeable of learning styles and therefore a course in learning styles was designed.