Learning styles differ between senior dietetics students and dietetics faculty members

This study examined learning styles of faculty members and senior students in coordinated programs in dietetics and compared learning styles by area of career expertise (faculty) or interest (students). Respondents included 108 faculty members and 324 students. The survey included a standardized Learning Styles Inventory and questions regarding demographics and career preferences. chi(2) analysis was used to compare learning style with selected variables. Significant differences were found between student and faculty learning styles (P=.006). Faculty also had significant differences in learning styles within various areas of expertise (P=.037), but no significant differences were found in learning style by expected career choice of students. Students listed entry-level and 5-year career choices. Most (55.6%) plan to work in clinical nutrition following graduation, but 37.0% anticipate being in a nontraditional area of dietetics 5 years postgraduation. Only 6.8% plan to work in management at entry, dropping to 3.4% at 5 years.