Learning Styles Preferences of First Year Medical Students Of J N Medical College Belgaum: A Single Institute Experience In Karnataka, India.

ABSTRACT

Abstracts Background: Researchers agree that in addition to cognitive factor, non-cognitive factors like learning style are predictors of performance. Students use different sensory modalities for assembling knowledge and information. This study was aim to recognize preferred learning styles of first year medical students at KLE university’s J N Medical college Belgaum India. Methodology: A cross sectional study was conducted on 150 consented students .The students were subjected to VARK learning style questionnaire to identify their learning styles preferences. The questionnaires which identify four learning style preferences/modes as visual (v), auditory (A), read and write(R) and kinaesthetic (K). Descriptive statistics was used to identify the learning styles of the students. Results: Hundred present students preferred multimodal style of learning, while 92%preferred quadrimodal, 7% trimodal , 1% bimodal. Among the four learning style preferences it was found that 99% of them preferred kinaesthetic, followed by, auditory, read/ write and visual modality. Conclusion: This study gives insight that no single teaching –learning strategy can work for effective teaching learning in medical students. Faculty teaching first year medical students has to adopt multi modal teaching-learning strategies to create effective teaching and learning environment.