Approaches to Different Learning Styles in Undergraduate Medical Students of Al-Tibri Medical College Karachi

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the different styles of learning preferred by undergraduate medical students from 1st to 5th year of Al-Tibri Medical College Karachi

Methodology: This was a cross sectional observational study carried out on the undergraduate medical students of Al-Tibri Medical College Karachi from 1st year to 5th year for a period of six months. The sample consisted of 498 participants, distributed across the various academic years: 101 from the first year, 96 from the second year, 101 from the third year, 104 from the fourth year, and 96 from the fifth year. For collecting data, a self-administered and pre-tested questionnaire of VARK learning styles was distributed amongst students. The analysis of data was done using SPSS version 23.

Results: From 498 undergraduate medical students included, mean age was 20.93 ± 2.27 years. Mean score for visual learning style was 2.75 ± 2.5, auditory was 3.4 ± 2.1, reading / writing was 3.9 ± 2.8 and kinesthetic was 4.75 ± 3.2. 56 % of 1st year students opted for uni-modal while 44 % multi-modal learning style. 51 % of 2nd year students preferred uni-modal while 49 % multi-modal learning style. 52 % of 3rd year students chose uni-modal while 48 % multi-modal learning style. 50 % of 4th year students picked uni-modal and multi-modal learning style each. 44 % of 5th year students opted for uni-modal while 56 % multi-modal learning style.

Conclusion: Majority of students approached learning using kinesthetic style followed by reading / writing. A multi-modal mode of learning was preferred where a combination of either of VARK’s learning styles were put into practice for attaining and acquiring the best possible knowledge.