Variables Associated With Intent To Use Learning Style Preference Information By Undergraduate Nursing Students

Abstract

Increasing the success of diverse undergraduate students is central to the mission of many nursing programs. Numerous programs administer learning style inventories in order to obtain baseline information about students’ learning needs. However, little is understood about students’ intent to use the learning style preference information. The purpose of this study was to examine variables associated with intent to use learning style preference information by undergraduate nursing students. Variables included demographic, academic, and learning style preference variables as well as students’ ability to explain learning style preference information, obtained from a commercial learning style inventory. A purposive convenience sample (N = 219) was obtained from six baccalaureate nursing programs in different geographical areas to achieve adequate learner diversity for the variables to be studied. A researcher-developed survey entitled Intent to Use Learning Style Preference Information was used to collect study data. Students responded to questions regarding demographic, academic, and learning style preference information. Pearson correlation, independent samples t test, analysis of variance, and multiple linear regression methods were used for statistical analyses. The significant variables of type of BSN program, years of education, person who shared results, perception of usefulness of learning style assessment, and ability to explain learning style preference information, when entered into the regression model, accounted for 32.5% of the variance in the intent to use learning style preference information, F(5, 198) = 19.07, p < .001. Intent to use learning style preference information was greater for BSN students in four-year programs as opposed to accelerated programs, those with fewer overall years of education, whose results were shared by an academic advisor rather than faculty, who perceived their learning style assessment as useful, and who had high ability to explain their learning style preference information. Evaluation of fiscal resources required for administration of learning style inventories and perceived usefulness of the information by students is critical. Implications from this study include ensuring students’ ability to understand and explain their learning style preference information, as well as providing strategies that students can utilize throughout their curriculum. Further research is recommended to determine the impact of implementation strategies.