Relationship between level of readiness for self-directed learning and learning styles of CEU nursing students

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to assess the level of readiness of student nurses for self-directed learning and their learning styles. It also determined the relationship between the two factors and the relationship of each factor to the respondents' demographic profile. This descriptive- correlational study utilized the Autonomous Learner Index of Abu- Moghli, Khalaf, Halabi & Wardam (2005) to assess the students' level of readiness in self-directed learning, and the Learning Style Inventory of Kolb & Kolb (2005) to assess their learning style type. No sampling technique was used because total population was included covering all 103 regular nursing students of Centro Escolar University for First semester of academic year 2016-2017. The study underwent Ethics Review Board Approval before it was implemented. Results of the study revealed that most of the nursing students were independent learners (52%). There were no dependent learners but since there were several respondents who were uncertain (48%), it is the role of nurse educators to develop their independence in learning. Moreover, all the four types of learning styles namely Accommodative, Convergent, Assimilative and Divergent; were present showing the variation in learning styles of nursing students. But it was found out that they mostly prefer the Convergent learning style, especially the junior and senior students. The study concluded that there was no relationship between the variables demographic profile, self-directed learning readiness and learning style. However, the scores of convergent learning style were higher than that of divergent and accommodative in their self-directed learning readiness.