Learning styles of students: development of an eclectic model

Many researchers have hypothesised that people have an affinity with one of two broadly opposite styles of learning. This paper uses a mainly psychological perspective to examine some teaching and learning styles. Much research into learning styles exhibits original and imaginative approaches to the issues identified by learners and educators, however there is also a degree of recycling of concepts. This paper reports the development of an eclectic model of learning styles designed by considering various concepts, from which four major bipolar theories are refined in the light of sources to identify the core concepts. The selections and exclusions made in the model-building may precipitate dispute. Robust debate is invited, though the eclectic model as it now stands may be thought to offer a serviceable framework for enhancing the sensitivity of nurse educators to students' individuality expressed in their learning styles. How the variety in students' learning styles can be addressed by differing teaching/learning strategies is also discussed. It is concluded that nurse education should strive to move towards matching teaching to learning styles.