scholarly journals Learning preferences of undergraduate dental students using VARK analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 207-212
Author(s):  
Ashish Shrestha ◽  
Vinay Marla ◽  
Sushmita Shrestha ◽  
Jyotsna Rimal

Background: Learning preference is a complex character in which learners most efficiently perceive, process, store, and recall what they are learning. Objectives: This study was conducted with an objective to identify the preferred learning styles of undergraduate dental students such that suitable modification in the teaching learning environment could be made. Methodology: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Nepal among undergraduate dental students from June to December 2019 after getting ethical approval. Convenience sampling method was used to include all undergraduate students from first to final year; of which 252 provided consent. VARK questionnaire (version 7.8) comprising 16 multiple choice questions were used to analyse the learning preferences and were accordingly categorised for further statistical analysis. Results: Out of 280 students, a total of 252 students (90%; 90 males, 162 females) responded to the questionnaire among whom 89 (35.3%) had uni-modal learning preferences. Of the total, 55 (21.8%) had bi-modal, 39 (15.4%) had tri-modal, and 69 (27.3%) had quadri-modal learning preferences. Among the uni-modal preferences, 'K mild' was most common (36, 14.3%) followed by 'A mild'. Among bi-modal learning preferences 'AK type' (35, 13.9%) was most common and VAK type was common among tri-modal learning preferences. 'VARK type two' (33, 13.1%) was common quadri-modal learning preferences. Conclusion: This study highlighted the variations in learning preferences among dental students suggesting the need for a flexible learning environment. Understanding learning preferences can help to plan lessons effectively and help to manage students in a better way.

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (08) ◽  
pp. 1311-1314
Author(s):  
Muhammad Azeem ◽  
Momina Akram ◽  
Rubbab Asghar ◽  
Arfan ul Haq ◽  
Nadeem Tarique ◽  
...  

It is very important for faculty members to know how students learn so that they can modify teaching methods accordingly. To measure the learning preferences of dental undergraduates at Faisalabad Medical University, Pakistan. Study Design: A Cross-sectional study. Setting: Orthodontic Department, Dental Section- Faisalabad Medical University, Faisalabad. Period: Session 2017-18. Materials and Methods: Present study was conceived on the final year dental undergraduates (n=40) of Faisalabad Medical University, Pakistan to determine the learning preferences. Questionnaire was administered using Felder and Soloman’s Index of Learning Styles. The descriptive statistics were applied and survey data were converted in to scores. Results: The results showed that most of the undergraduate dental students were verbal learners (50%). On the sequential/global scale, 55% were balanced and 40% were sequential learners. On the active/reflective scale, 45% were balanced, and 30% were active. On the sensing/intuitive scale, 50% were balanced, and 38% were sensing. Conclusion: The undergraduate dental students were found to be mostly verbal learners.


2018 ◽  
Vol 08 (04) ◽  
pp. 221-225
Author(s):  
Beenish Fatima Alam ◽  
Hira Raza ◽  
Shizma junejo ◽  
Marium Azfar ◽  
Tuba Saleem ◽  
...  

Objective: To determine the differences of self-perception of halitosis and oral hygiene practices among the medical and dental undergraduate students. Methodology: A cross-sectional study conducted over duration of 9 months amongst the medical and dental undergraduate students of Bahria University Medical and Dental College. The questionnaires were distributed to 298 students. Questionnaire employed for this study was adopted and modified from the study conducted by Khalid Almas et al. Descriptive statistics were checked by means of percentages and frequency for all variables. Chi-square test was applied to check significant difference among the responses given by the medical and dental undergraduate students. Results: The response rate for the survey was about 85%. 55% of dental and 17 % of medical students were able to smell their breath. About having examination by dentist about 73% of medical students agreed as compared to 53% of dental students. Both medical and dental students preferred having examination done by the dentist. For management of halitosis, dentist was preferred by 62% of the dental students, while 97% of the medical students did not agree. 62% of the dental students preferred using traditional medications, while 82% of the medical students preferred using self-medications for treatment. Conclusion: The results suggest that there is not a high level of agreement among dental and medical students concerning the detection and management of halitosis. Although large percent of the respondents claimed to be aware of dentistry, our findings revealed low level of knowledge and attitude to Dentistry by the medical undergraduate students. Efforts should be made towards closing this knowledge gap to attain effective oral health.


2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Munirah Yaacob ◽  
Nor Asilah Harun ◽  
Farizah Ramli ◽  
Hannah Abdul Razak ◽  
Noor Aisyah Sajuni

Aim: To investigate the depression, anxiety and stress, stressors and relieving factors among dental students at Kulliyyah of Dentistry (KOD). Materials and methods:  A cross-sectional study was conducted among 222 dental students. Their socio-demographic data, self-reported depression, anxiety and stress (DASS-21) scores, causes and relieving factors were collected using validated semi-structured pre-tested questionnaires. The data was analysed using percentages, chi-square test and Binary logistic regression tests with SPSS version 24. Results: The prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress was 41%, 68.9% and 34.2% respectively. Cross analysis showed that academic-related and laboratory or clinical related reasons were significantly associated with the depressive symptoms [(X2= 15.86, p<0.0001) and (X2= 10.45, p=0.001) respectively] and stress symptoms [(X2= 19.95, p<0.0001) and (X2= 6.11, p<0.05) respectively] among dental student. Furthermore, the item ‘examination’ being the highest factor chosen in academic-related stressors. The response for stress-relieving factors was high for Islamic ritual prayer/spiritual activities (94.6%), sleeping (86.5%) and doing exercise/playing sports (76.1%), while ‘seeking professional help’ (19.8%) was the least. Conclusion: This study shows that depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms are prevalent among dental students. Islamic ritual prayer and involvement in spiritual related activities was found to be the most preferred way for students to relief stress. Hence, it is vital that the university continually evaluates the psychological health of the students, tailor preventive measures and spiritual related programs to help students to cope with stress.


2019 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 1279-1287
Author(s):  
Cleina de Fátima Carvalho ◽  
Maria Amélia Zanon Ponce ◽  
Reinaldo Antonio da Silva-Sobrinho ◽  
Roberto Della Rosa Mendez ◽  
Mariana Alvina dos Santos ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the knowledge about tuberculosis among nursing undergraduate students of a Federal Higher Education Institution. Method: Descriptive cross-sectional study, with quantitative approach. Data were collected through a questionnaire based on the WHO’s guide to developing evaluation instruments on knowledge, attitudes and practices related to TB. Students were classified as “with knowledge” and “with little knowledge” based on the mean percentage of correct responses to the variables analyzed. Descriptive statistics techniques were used. Results: 60 nursing students were interviewed. “with little knowledge” was observed among students who were studying at the university for less time and who had no previous contact with the subject, and “with knowledge” was observed among those whose knowledge about tuberculosis was acquired in the health services. Conclusion: Knowledge gaps among undergraduate nursing students were identified, suggesting the need to rethink teaching-learning strategies on the subject.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (05) ◽  
pp. 1065-1069
Author(s):  
Farhan Butt ◽  
Asma Naz ◽  
Sajjad Ali Darvesh ◽  
Mudassir Hussain ◽  
Saad . ◽  
...  

Objectives: To determine the preferred learning styles of Dental students and Dentists among various dental colleges using the VARK questionnaire. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Various Dental Colleges in Karachi & Rawalpindi using the VARK questionnaire. Period: From June 2018 to February 2019. Material & Methods: Students, house-officers and demonstrators of dental medical college and hospital were asked to fill the VARK questionnaire which consists of 16 items. Four modes of learning either uni modal, bimodal or trimodal could be identified. The four modes include: visual, aural, reading, kinesthic. Results: Kinesthetic mode of learning was used by 24.5% individuals. Aural mode of learning was used by 25.3% individuals. Visual mode of learning was used by 15.5% individuals. Learning by reading was used by 17.7% individuals. Learning by using all modes was used by 1.5% individuals. Conclusion: Identifying the effective modes of learning is the first step towards changing the teaching strategy. Training in medicine and dentistry require innovative teaching ideas incorporating all modes for efficient learning of doctors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 26-30
Author(s):  
Md Rezaul Karim ◽  
AKM Asaduzzaman ◽  
Md Humayun Kabir Talukder ◽  
Kazi Khairul Alam ◽  
Farhana Haque ◽  
...  

This descriptive type of cross sectional study was conducted to determine the learning styles of undergraduate medical students. The study period was from July 2017 to June 2018. The study was carried out among the students of 2nd, 3rd and 4th phases of MBBS course of 3 government and 4 non-government medical colleges of Bangladesh. Out of 7 medical colleges, 4 were within Dhaka and 3 were from outside Dhaka. The sample size was 1004 students. Medical colleges were selected purposively and convenience sampling technique was adopted for data collection. Bangla translated version Fleming's VARK (visual, auditory, read/write and kinesthetic) questionnaire was used to identify the learning styles of students. The study revealed that out of 1004 medical students, 64.2% preferred multimodal learning styles and rest 35.8% preferred unimodal learning styles. Among unimodal learning preferences, auditory (A) and kinesthetic (K) were the most preferred sensory modalities of learning. Among multimodal learning styles preferences, the combination of auditory & kinesthetic (AK) and auditory, read/write & kinesthetic (ARK) were predominant. There were only significant differences of the mean scores of visual (V) learning style among the male and female students. Majority of students preferred multimodal learning styles. Students are able to learn effectively as long as the teacher provides a blend of visual, auditory, read/writing and kinesthetic activates. The study recommended that teachers should be aware of the medical students' learning styles and aligning teaching-learning methods with learning styles will improve their learning and academic performance. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Education Vol.10(2) 2019: 26-30


2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephney Whillier ◽  
Reidar P. Lystad ◽  
David Abi-Arrage ◽  
Christopher McPhie ◽  
Samara Johnston ◽  
...  

Objective The aims of our study were to measure the learning style preferences of chiropractic students and to assess whether they differ across the 5 years of chiropractic study. Methods A total of 407 (41.4% females) full-degree, undergraduate, and postgraduate students enrolled in an Australian chiropractic program agreed to participate in a cross-sectional survey comprised of basic demographic information and the Visual, Aural, Read/Write, Kinesthetic (VARK) questionnaire, which identifies learning preferences on four different subscales: visual, aural, reading/writing, and kinesthetic. Multivariate analysis of variance and the χ2 test were used to check for differences in continuous (VARK scores) and categorical (VARK category preference) outcome variables. Results The majority of chiropractic students (56.0%) were found to be multimodal learners. Compared to the other learning styles preferences, kinesthetic learning was preferred by a significantly greater proportion of students (65.4%, p &lt; .001) and received a significantly greater mean VARK score (5.66 ± 2.47, p &lt; .001). Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time chiropractic students have been shown to be largely multimodal learners with a preference for kinesthetic learning. While this knowledge may be beneficial in the structuring of future curricula, more thorough research must be conducted to show any beneficial relationship between learning style preferences and teaching methods.


2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriela S. Pinto ◽  
Gustavo G. Nascimento ◽  
Matheus S. Mendes ◽  
Fabrício A. Ogliari ◽  
Flávio F. Demarco ◽  
...  

This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with the decision to attend an academic post-graduation program by dental students. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012, last-year undergraduate students from Dental Schools of Southern Brazil. A closed questionnaire was applied including questions grouped in three different blocks: pre-graduate, undergraduate period and future perspectives. The outcome was the decision to pursuit an academic post-graduation degree. Associations were tested using chi-squared test and chi-squared test for linear trends when appropriate. Multivariate Poisson regression was also performed. The sample was composed by 671 students (response rate of 69.9%, n=467). In relation to future perspectives, 68% of the interviewed students intended to attend a post-graduation program, but only 17.5% would choose a program with academic and research post-graduation program (Master and PhD programs). In the final model, students from public universities (PR 2.08, 95%CI 1.41-3.08) and students that received scientific initiation scholarship (PR 1.93 95%CI 1.14-3.27) presented a twice greater prevalence to seek academic post-graduate programs. Students with higher family incomes showed a lower prevalence to seek these programs (PR 0.50, 95%IC 0.28-0.90). Scholarships seem to encourage undergraduate students to pursue stricto sensu post-graduation.


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