Unit 1.4
Adapting Learning Modalities for Diverse Ways of Learning
NLN Competency: I
Objectives
Determine current style of teaching: teacher-centered versus student-centered
List two factors that can impact student learning
Discuss two ways to adapt teaching styles to address student learning and student-
centered teaching.
Introduction
Learners and educators are diverse for various reasons: age, generational differences, cultural and ethnic differences, linguistic differences, etc. As an educator, determining a preferred teaching method is an important first step to being able to adapt teaching methods to best meet the diverse
needs of learners. After recognizing the preferred teaching style/modality, consider how to adapt teaching methods to include diverse ways of learning.
Different Teaching Styles
- Teacher-centered
The teacher is viewed as the expert, with learners passively waiting for the expert to fill their heads with the required content, often through lectures. This is what educators have traditionally done, but it is less favored now due to new research about best practices in teaching and learning (Lathan, 2020). - Learner-centered
The teacher is viewed more as a facilitator or guide, and the learners take a more active role. Learning is more collaborative and hands-on, and places responsibility on students to actively participate in the learning process.
Factors that Impact Student Learning
Consideration by faculty regarding current teaching style(s) will help adapt teaching methods relative to one or more of the following factors:
- Cultural context – To effectively teach nursing students, consider how to adapt teaching to improve learning across differences of language, values, culture, and other factors (Azad et al., 2020). Generational differences:
- Younger students are more likely to prefer working in groups to working alone, may prefer self-paced and interactive learning, prefer ongoing/continuous feedback, and may be very comfortable with various technologies integrated into the classroom.
- Older students may prefer working independently, may prefer reading or listening to lectures, and may be uncomfortable with the integration of various technologies into the classroom (Hart, 2017).
- Diverse learning styles – (Visual, Auditory, Reading/Writing, Kinesthetic, etc.) consider adapting the teaching style to encompass a variety of learning styles.
- Include lectures, discussion, hands-on components, individual and group work, audio/visual components, technology components, etc. (Lathan, 2020).
- Provide opportunities for students to provide feedback about the teaching/learning process and styles to build trust, increase learning, and increase collaboration (Azad et al., 2020).
Conclusion
Nurse educators can improve the teaching/learning experience for students. By identifying the students’ learning styles and determining methods to provide a variety of teaching methods, the educator can provide a rich presentation for diverse learners. By using a variety of teaching
methods, the educator will be assured that all learning styles are addressed.
References
Azad, A., Min, J-G., Syed, S., & Anderson, S. (2020). Continued nursing education in low income and middle-income countries: A narrative synthesis. BMJ Global Health, 5, e001981. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001981
Hart, S. (2017). Today’s learners and educators: Bridging the generational gaps. Teaching and Learning in Nursing, 12, 253-257. doi:10.1016/j.teln.2017.05.003
Lathan, J. (2020). An Educator’s Guide to Teaching Styles & Learning Styles. University of Sandiego https://onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu/teaching-to-every-students-unique-learning-style/