IJCM_267A: Using VARK Questionnaire for Assessing Preferred Learning Styles of Undergraduate Medical Students – A Cross Sectional Study.

Abstract

Background: Students differ in their preferred methods of acquiring, processing, and recalling new information. Learning styles are of the factors influencing academic achievement. The learning style is defined as a combination of cognitive, emotional, and physiological traits that show how the learner perceives and responds to the learning environment. There are very few studies that have assessed learning styles in India. Hence, the present study was undertaken. Objective: The present study aimed to assess the diversity of learning styles among undergraduate medical students Methodology: This was a cross sectional study. The visual, aural, read/write, and kinesthetic (VARK) questionnaire was administered to 210 students of second and third year MBBS students of Raichur institute of Medical Sciences. Duration of the study was for 1 month. Predesigned, pretested and structured VARK questionnaire version 8.01 containing 16 questions was used as the study tool. The questionnaire was distributed among students in a single page printed format. The consent form assured that denial of taking part in the study will not hamper the student’s academic result and other curricular activities Results: In our study, Data collected were evaluated according to proposed evaluation guideline dividing into 4 predominant groups namely ‘V’, ‘A’, ‘R’, ‘K’. Total 210 students, (Male=100, Female=110), response rate 100%, aged between 19-24 years participated, among which females were ‘R’ and males ‘K’ predominant.. Conclusion: The preferred learning styles of medical students in the present study were reading/writing and kinesthetic. It is suggested that all medical students must be tested to determine their desired learning styles by using VARK questionnaire, also to choose appropriate teaching methods and to improve educational goals