Abstract

Background: Learning styles are classified based on the sensory modality used to assimilate information. It could be visual, aural, read/write or kinesthetic. Each individual may prefer one or more sensory modality for internalizing information. Matching the learning style of students to the method by which information is delivered to the student ensures effective learning. Medical students are no exception to this The aim of our study was to find out the learning modality preferences of I year medical students. Settings and Design – Cross-sectional study design and descriptive study Method and Material: A total of 187 I year MBBS students completed the paper format of VARK 7.8 questionnaire which was devised by Fleming. The descriptive data was represented in the form of pie charts Statistical Analysis: Microsoft excel was used for statistical analysis. The findings were represented as pie charts. Results: 68% of the students showed multimodality preferences. Of the multimodal, bimodal stood at a maximum of 30%. 65% of the bimodal had combination of auditory and kinesthetic predominance. Further, 75% of unimodal had kinesthetic preferences. Conclusion: As most of the students had kinesthetic preference as unimodal or as part of multimodal preferences, introduction of active learning methods and computer assisted learning as part of IMBBS phase I curriculum would aid effective learning in medical students.

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