The Study of Learning Styles Adopted by First-year Medical Students

Abstract

Different students have different ways of processing and retaining information. Consequently, taking learning styles into consideration can greatly enhance the student's learning experience and academic success. Learning styles are considered important in learning at University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City because they help teachers understand their students' individual ways of absorbing information. This knowledge can then be used to create personalized educational experiences that cater to each student's strengths and preferences, resulting in better learning outcomes. By recognizing the differences in learning styles, instructors can adjust their teaching methods, instructional materials, and activities to better engage all students and improve their overall education. The VARK questionnaire was used to assess the preferred modes of information presentation among first-year medical students at University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City. Out of 220 students, 90% completed the questionnaire. The results showed that only 34.3% of the students had a preference for a single mode, with the largest group (16.7%) preferring to use all their senses (kinesthetics). The majority of the students (65.7%) preferred multiple modes of presentation, with 25.4% preferring 2 modes, 33.1% preferring 3 modes, and 41.5% preferring 4 modes. Knowing the preferred modes of information presentation can help teachers personalize their teaching methods, avoid a one-size-fits-all approach, and encourage them to use a variety of presentation methods.

Keywords: Learning Styles, Visual, Auditory, Read/Write, Kinesthetic

DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/96-08

Publication date: February 28^th 2023