Learning Preferences
Tie in learning preferences to defining challenges.
In Module 2, you explored your Personality, Interests, Values, Skills, and Strengths. These are all critical factors to consider when mapping your future. It is also essential to consider your learning preferences, as this can help guide your choices in your educational and career journey. Most people have one or two styles of learning that they prefer, and help them make sense of new information. Sometimes, your learning style is influenced by what you are learning. You will most likely draw upon many learning styles during your studies, but it is essential to consider how you best learn and think about how you can apply this to read and write efficiently and effectively. Learning preferences can pose challenges as well as opportunities.
To determine your preferred learning styles, think about how you best learn. For example, how did you first learn to drive a car? Imagine learning to drive a car if you don’t have your license yet. What might best work for you? See the table below to help you identify your learning style preferences and how this relates to your nursing education. But really, don’t limit yourself to one style.
|
Type of learner |
Description |
|---|---|
|
You might be a visual learner if… |
…you begin by reading the driver’s handbook so you can figure out the rules of the road, paying attention to the images so that you know what all of the road signs mean. Do you think this is how you would best learn? |
|
You might be a verbal learner if… |
…you read the whole book (might even read it out loud) and then ask questions and engage in discussion with a person about how to drive like an expert. Does this capture how you learn best? |
|
You might be an auditory learner if… |
…you listen to podcasts about how to drive or ask your parents (or someone else who is a good driver) to explain the rules of the road and how to work a car. Of course, don’t ask your parents if they are not good drivers! Is this how you best learn? |
|
You might be a kinesthetic learner if… |
…you get inside the car and try to figure out what the buttons and gadgets mean/do and if you start by driving in a parking lot with an expert beside you. Does this sound like the way you best learn? |
The Scholarship of Writing in Nursing Education: 1st Canadian Edition Copyright © 2019 by Jennifer Lapum; Oona St-Amant; Michelle Hughes; Andy Tan; Arina Bogdan; Frances Dimaranan; Rachel Frantzke; and Nada Savicevic is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
