Mapping learning preferences in nursing education: A cross-sectional study among generation Z students

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• E-learning
• Educational Psychology

Background:

• COVID-19 accelerated the adoption of E-learning, challenging traditional teaching methods.
• Generation Z nursing students' learning preferences in the context of E-learning require investigation.
• Academic success is influenced by learning style preferences in nursing education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the learning style preferences of Generation Z nursing students.
• To determine the impact of these preferences on academic success.
• To inform educational strategies for nursing students in an evolving academic landscape.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was employed.
• 249 nursing students from a university in Oman participated.
• Data collected via Likert scale questionnaire on printed vs. digital resources; analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA, Pearson's correlation).

Main Results:

• 61.4% of students preferred printed materials over onscreen for academic purposes.
• Laptops were the most preferred digital device (41.8%).
• A significant positive correlation was found between gender and hard-copy preference (r=0.264, P=0.000), and between reading choice and hard-copy preference (r=0.264, P=0.000).

Conclusions:

• Understanding and addressing diverse learning styles is crucial for effective education.
• Educators and policymakers should identify responsive approaches to learning styles.
• Tailoring educational strategies to student preferences can improve academic outcomes.