Teaching around the cycle: strategies for teaching theory to undergraduate nursing students

A teaching technique applied to teaching nursing theory in an undergraduate nursing program is presented. This technique acknowledges a variety of learning styles to facilitate student learning. Activities highlight the importance of acquiring a variety of knowledge acquisition and information-processing skills required in a profession. Students use critical thinking, communication, group process, and research analysis skills to learn and apply information about theory. The methods and activities have been developed over four years and implemented in small classes of eight students and in classes as large as 140 students with equal success.