Learning styles of first year medical and dental students at riphah international university, Pakistan

ABSTRACT

To Identify andcompare the learning styles of first year MBBS and BDS students at RID in order to develop teaching and learning activities matching to their learning styles [LS] and to observe the effects of age and gender on learning style. Across sectional survey. At Islamic International Medical College Riphah International University, Rawalpindi- Pakistan from January'1 to January 31, 2007. The information was collected through a Kolb's [1985] Learning Style Inventory [LSI]. It was filled by all first year MBBS and BDS students in January 2007 and was classified into one of the four main learning styles. The data was collected, scored, analyzed and interpreted by the faculty.Total number of first year medical students was N=99 [n=60 F, n=39 M] and dental students was N=49 [n=42 F, n=7M]. Among the frequencies of four Learning Styles, 33.33% and 46.93% students in medical and dental programs respectively were 'accommodators'. 22.25% and 30.61% students in medicine and dental programs respectively were 'convergers' and few had diverging and assimilating styles. The relationship of gender and Learning Style in both programs was same; 30% female and 38.46% male medical students and 42.85% female and 35.71% male dental students were 'accommodators'. This study showed that among the two programs the majority of the students were classified as 'Accommodators1 and 'Convergers', in which 'Accommodators'were in majority. However, there are students with other learning Styles as well for example, assimilators and divergers. Hence for the students at RIU, to make most of their learning opportunities in their basic and continuing education, they and faculty should be aware of their learning styles. The educators at RIU should Teach' each of the learning styles in order to 'reach' all the students