Associations between learning environment variables and students' approaches to studying: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy education
• Pedagogy
• Student learning

Background:

• The learning environment significantly influences student study habits.
• Limited research exists on this relationship within occupational therapy programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the link between occupational therapy students' perceptions of their learning environment and their chosen study approaches.

Main Methods:

• 187 first-year occupational therapy students in Norway participated.
• Data collected via Course Experience Questionnaire and Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students.
• Hierarchical linear regression analyses were used to examine associations.

Main Results:

• Higher perceived generic skills correlated with deep and strategic study approaches.
• Lower perceived generic skills correlated with surface study approaches.
• Lower perceived clarity of goals/standards and workload were linked to surface study approaches.

Conclusions:

• Enhancing the learning environment can positively influence occupational therapy students' study methods.
• Emphasizing transferable generic skills, clear goals, and manageable workloads is recommended.
• These factors may help foster deeper and more strategic learning approaches.