This document discusses learning styles and strategies for student success. It identifies four main learning styles: active vs reflective, sensing vs intuitive, visual vs verbal, and sequential vs global. Each style has different preferences for how information is received and processed. The document also discusses the Kolb learning cycle and associated strategies including SQ3R, MURDER, and SOLO. Finally, it outlines benefits of understanding learning styles such as tailoring instruction to diverse students and building student confidence.

1. Learning and Studying for Success
I. Learning Styles
A. Active and reflective
1. Active
A. retains and understands best by being active with it. “Let’s try it out”
Likes groups
Study in a group where members take turns explaining different topics
d. Will retain information better if you do something with it, i.e., discussion and
problem solving activities in class.
2. Reflective
a Prefer to think about it first, “Let’s think it through first”.
b. Works alone
c. Need to think about a topic, review what you read and think of possible
questions.
d. Rewrite class notes-enable you to retain more effectively
B. Sensing and Intuitive
1. Sensing-likes facts, solving problems, dislikes complications and surprises,
patient with detail, good at memorizing facts and hands on. More practical and
careful, does not like courses that have no connection with the real world.
2. Intuitive- prefer discovering possibilities and relationships, like innovation,
dislike repetition, better at grasping new concepts, comfortable with abstractions
and formulas, tends to work faster and be more innovative than sensors, do
not like courses with a lot of memorizing and routine calculations.
C. Visual and Verbal
1 Visual- Remember best what they see, pictures, diagrams, charts. Most people are
visual. Color code your notes, use concept maps. Create a mental picture in mind.
Using bright colored charts will hold their attention. Using bright colored paper,
index cards will stimulate retention. Using Blackboard for discussions is suggested.
2 Verbal- gets more out of words-written or spoken, most courses are verbal. Write
summaries or outlines in your own words, working in groups are effective.
* Everyone learns more when information is presented visually and verbally. Good learners are
capable of processing information both visually and verbally.
D. Sequential and Global Learners
1 Sequential- understand in linear steps, each step follows the other. May not
understand the material but can do something with it because pieces absorbed are in

2. steps. Most courses taught in a sequential manner. Helpful to outline the lecture
material.
2 Global- learn in large jumps, absorb material randomly without seeing connections,
then they “get it”. Need to see the big picture first, can solve complex problems but
have difficulty explaining how they did it. May have serious difficulty until they
have the big picture. Realize that you need to see the big picture of a subject to
master the details. Skim through the chapter before beginning to study
.
II. The Kolb Learning Style and Strategies- four learning styles
A Diverger- Concrete experience. Their strength is problem solving, decision making and
practical application of ideas. May be used too much resulting in inability to make a
decision. Strategy- SQ3R system is used; it directs the learner to survey the assignment by
using the broad topic outline of the reading. raise questions, read, recite what was read, and
review to find answers to the raised questions.
B Assimilator- reflection and observation. Able to put a large amount of information into a
concise form that is very logical. If used too much results in no practical application.
Strategy- Questions from the SQ3R serves as a bridge to MURDER-mood, understanding,
recall, digest, expand, and review. New and previous information is digested.
C Converger- Abstract conceptualization. Able to find practical uses for ideas and theories.
Hasty decisions results if used too much. Strategy- SOLO- Structure of observed behavior.
From MURDER, the expansion of information occurs by connecting to the outcome
components of the total learning process.
D Accommodator- Learns through activities. They are task oriented and learn by trial and
error. However, if used too much it results in meaningless activities. Strategy- deep
processing of information and the developmental processing of a plan of care for the patient.
III. Benefits of knowing a students learning style
A The new non-traditional nursing student can be identified by learning style and study
habits.
B The learning needs of the culturally diverse student can be identified by considering
their learning style.
C Students who know their learning styles and how they process the information will
have more confidence in class and the clinical area.
D Reflective learning used in the beginning of nursing classes can help with abstract
learning and the “art” of thinking.
E Case studies utilize reflective and analytical Thinking.

3. Bibliography
Felder, R. S. (n.d.). Learming Styles and Strategies. Retrieved July 30, 2010, from ncsu:
www.4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/ILSdir/styles.htm
Kelly, E. (1997). Develpment of trategies to Identify the Learning Needs of Baccalaureate
Nursing Stdents. Journal of Nursing Eduation, 36(4), 156-162.
Sayles, S. S. (2005). Student Success Strategies.The ABNF Journal, Sept-Oct, 98-101.