International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Volume 3, Number 1, January 2009
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to current issues pageResearch Article
Excerpt
Evaluation of Learning Style for First Year Medical Students
BACKGROUND. Many studies have documented the correlation of
learning style and academic success for medical students. However, few
have investigated the intersection of academic preparedness and students’
preference for information processing. This study tested the hypothesis
that learning style preference differs among medical students grouped
by admission status. It also analyzed markers of academic success and
their correlation with various learning styles. METHODS. First year
students from six entering classes at one medical school regional campus
were grouped into regular and alternate admission pools. All students
completed two types of learning style questionnaire as a part of self-awareness
training. RESULTS. Students from these distinct matriculant pools were
found to have significant differences in multimodal, visual and kinesthetic
learning styles. Both groups of medical learners were significantly
different from the general population in several key learning characteristics,
including sensing and judging dimensions measured using a version of
the Myers-Brigs Type Indicator.
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Full ArticleBio
Mary Johnson
Indiana University School of Medicine
Terre Haute, Indiana, USA
johnsomt@iupui.edu
I am an Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and statewide
Director of Problem Solving Competency at Indiana University School
of Medicine. I teach first year medical students microbiology and patient-centered
problem solving courses. I evaluate projects in core clinical competencies
for students from all medical education levels, particularly for problem-solving
skill. My background includes a doctorate in life sciences from Indiana
State University and master’s work in immunology from the University
of Oklahoma. Professional honors have included the 2001 Indiana Professor
of the Year Award from Carnegie Foundation/Council for Advancement and
Support of Education; membership in IU’s Faculty Colloquium on
Excellence in Teaching; and 1999 IU Trustee’s Teaching Award.
My research includes evaluation of student learning styles, electronic
portfolios, and assessment of problem-solving ability.
Website: http://web.indstate.edu/thcme/johnson