Understanding learning styles to enhance the experience of being a first year occupational therapy student

Anita Hamilton, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Medicine, Nursing and Behavioural Sciences Understanding learning styles to enhance the experience of being a first year occupational therapy student

Typical profile of an OT student at Deakin
Two thirds are school leavers, aged 17-18 at start of course
90% are female
About 1/3 are from Geelong and district, 1/3 from Melbourne and 1/3 from country areas

A comprehensive learning styles summary activity, based on:
Honey, P. & Mumford, A. (1986) Using‑your Learning styles .
De Bono, E. (1986) Six Thinking Hats .
French, J. R. P. and Raven, B (1959) The Bases of Social Power.

Today we have time to look at one aspect of the learning style profile activity…

Understanding yourself as a learner The results of the inventory give information about learning style preferences. (Honey & Mumford, 1992) This is used to participate in a significant first semester group learning task. Activist Pragmatist Theorist Reflector

Profiles of Honey & Mumford’s learning styles My philosophy is... if it's logical, it's good! Theorist My philosophy is... it's good to be cautious! Reflector Activist My philosophy is... I'll try anything once! Pragmatist My philosophy is... there is always a better way!

Understanding others as similar learners Students meet others in their tute-group with the same learning style preference Pragmatist Theorist Reflector Activist Activist Pragmatist Pragmatist Pragmatist Reflector Theorist Reflector

Understanding others as different learners Students move to small work-groups which comprise the four learning styles…They discuss how their style could be a strength and a weakness at University… … they will stay in these groups for the semester to complete a significant assessment activity Activist Pragmatist Theorist Reflector

This activity has a range of outcomes!
Students finish their first OT tutorial in first semester with the knowledge of:
An idea of learning their own style strengths
Knowledge of others with a similar learning style
A work group of about 5 students with whom they will complete a significant assessment task
Time spent getting to know their group
Q&A time on the assessment task!

The task they will complete includes:
Creating a tutorial designed to meet the learning styles of students in the tute group
Creating a tutorial designed to demonstrate understanding of group work process
Creating a tutorial that demonstrates emerging knowledge of the role of group work in OT practice
Developing a reflective journal that discusses the above issues plus reflections on working together as a team

Types of groups the students ran
Relaxation techniques
How to juggle life and juggling balls!
Scrap booking
Goal setting
Therapeutic pot plants
Healthy eating
Balloon animal making
Pilates
Leadership and teamwork games

Student Reflections
Students complete a group reflection journal on working with people with different learning styles. How they found it and what they learned…
It was great working in a team… I could never achieve that on my own I really love leading a group!

Student reflection is important
Students who are aware of their own learning strengths, preferences and limitations can more effectively participate in and influence their learning outcomes.
When working with a theorist I need to be patient It was great to know how to work with others, knowing their learning style really made sense This knowledge and skill is then available as graduates (Activist learner)

Teacher Reflection
Teachers who continually review and reflect upon their teaching style and practice, are more likely to provide a range of approaches to learning & assessment, leading to facilitation of learning through student-centered learning environments
I am a pragmatist and need to be careful about my style when trying to engage all my students (Biggs, 2003).

A ttitudes
R easoning
T heory
I nvestigation
S kills
T hinking
Can we use knowledge of learning style to progress from student of occupational therapy to artist of occupational therapy?

A ttitudes: towards health, disability, disadvantage, person-centered, strengths-based
R easoning: explaining clinical decision making
T heory: models, conditions, anatomy, physiology, psychology
I nvestigation: conducting/understanding research, using evidence, critiquing
S kills: discipline specific skills in assessment/ intervention/ individual & group communication/ management/
T hinking: problem solving & critical reflection
ARTIST

Understanding learning styles to enhance the experience of being a first year occupational therapy student

by Anita Hamilton on Mar 26, 2010

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Understanding learning styles to enhance the experience of being a first year occupational therapy student Presentation Transcript