Learning styles of nursing students: a 3-year cohort longitudinal study

The theoretical framework of this study was based on Kolb's model of experiential learning which proposes four phases: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. Kolb's Learning Style Inventory was used to assess preferences for these four learning modes. A freshman questionnaire developed by Peter Dietsche was used to determine basic demographic and background information, education goals, goal of obtaining a diploma, and goals in attending college. This study was conducted over a 3-year period (1990-1992). One hundred seventy-six female nursing students were tested in year 1. In the second year 138 of the original cohort were tested and in the third year 144 were tested. First year nursing students on the average selected as their cycle of learning: active experimentation "doing," reflective observation "watching," abstract conceptualization "thinking," and concrete experience "feeling." Little difference was noted in the learning style selected in year 2 and 3. In years 1, 2, and 3 nursing students' dominant learning style was that of Assimilator which combines the learning steps of abstract conceptualization (thinking) and reflective observation (watching).