Yes, I do think there is a need for a new learning theory to effectively teach nursing. In most nursing schools, lecture material and nursing skills are introduced at different times throughout the semester. This traditional way does not provide students with a real-life experience. It would be beneficially for all nursing schools to utilize a new theory that is currently being introduced called problem-based learning (PBL). PBL integrates theory and clinical together. PBL “involves real life cases and scenarios that are very effective in developing confidence in students” (Farid & Ali, pg.15, 2012). It provides students with opportunities to develop teamwork and critical thinking skills (Farid & Ali, 2012). PBL provides students with a more realistic approach to nursing and provides and more educational experience ultimately enhancing their learning.

Yes, I do think that assessment of learning style enhances clinical and academic education. Every student learns differently and it is important for educators to assess their student’s learning styles and provide material in different ways in order to benefit all students. Although there is not a best way to teach, it has been shown that teachers who incorporate the different needs of students into their teaching have increased learning. With that being said, most students have not identified their learning style which leads to poor learning and studying practices (Sinnerton, Leonard & Rogers, 2014). It is important, as educators, we aide our students in identifying their own preference in learning so that teaching can be effective and learning can be achieved (Cannon & Boswell, 2016).

References:

Cannon, S., & Boswell, C. (2016). Evidence-Based Teaching in Nursing (2nd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Farid, F. N., & Ali, S. F. (2012). Problem Based Learning in Clinical Nursing Education. International Journal of Nursing Education, 4(2), 14-16.

Sinnerton, T., Leonard, L., & Rogers, K. (2014). Using Learning Style Preferences to Enhance the Education and Training of Allied Health Professionals. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, 12(1), 1-5.

Yes. There is a need for a new learning theory to effectively teach nursing. As discussed in our text, Cannon and Boswell (2016) remind us that not all nursing students come directly from high school. In fact, many are seeking a second career, or wait until they're older and have had other experiences that led them into the their school of nursing. This leads to a diverse set of learners, with diverse backgrounds. Nursing faculty need to acquire skills in the classroom to incorporate all their students' needs and learning styles, while enabling them to meet their objectives and ultimately pass the NCLEX. Simply a lecture in the classroom and clinical experiences, often taught by different instructors, is not sufficient. There is a need for a greater connection from classroom to clinical. As mentioned in the TED Talk, "What Makes Us Pause", there is a link between connecting learning to be effective and making it meaningful to the learner. Learning needs to be organized in a meaningful way. All too often, the clinical experiences do not correlate with the classroom lectures in the same time frame, which is a disadvantage to the students' learning.

Yes. The assessment of learning styles enhances education. For the students, it is important that they realize their strengths and what works well for them academically. For institutions and educators, seeing the different ways their students learn serves as a tool to embed various strategies and learning opportunities. For example, phrases like "piggy back" and "micro drip" were so confusing to me. Had my teacher shown us IV pumps and allowed us to practice, getting idea of what they were in the clinical setting would have been more effective for me as a nursing student.

I believe that their is a need for new learning theories to effectively teach in nursing. According to The Journal of Education and Health Promotion, "using a variety of learning strategies in the education of nursing students can better cover their needed aspects and keep their motivation to learning. Teachers must also be familiar with all these views in order to apply each of them in its place according to the characteristics of learners, their motivation level, types of materials, purpose of education, and existing facilities." There are several concepts to understand when it comes to educating future RN's, from patho and pharm, which may be better learned in a classroom setting to physical assessment and sim lab, which are hands on. Incorporating or creating a new learning theory to round out all thoughts and concepts would be extremely effective in nursing. Especially since According to McKenzie there is a wide age range in nursing students, all which have different styles of learning.

I also believe that the assessment of learning styles enhances clinical and academic education. According to Jay McTighe and Ken O'Connor "recent research has documented the benefits of regular use of diagnostic and formative assessments as feedback for learning (Black, Harrison, Lee, Marshall, & Wiliam, 2004). Like successful athletic coaches, the best teachers recognize the importance of ongoing assessments and continual adjustments on the part of both teacher and student as the means to achieve maximum performance." By understanding how students learn best a better environment for learning, growth and development can be formed. According to teach.com, "It is important for educators to understand the differences in their students’ learning styles, so that they can implement best practice strategies into their daily activities, curriculum and assessments."