Unveiling the learning style puzzle: Factors that shape how medical students learn

Abstract

The medical curriculum is extremely vast and dynamic, and it is expected that, within the defined time frame, a student must acquire the desired learning outcomes. This draws our attention to the phenomenon of learning style, which refers to the preferred way by which a medical student tries to acquire and process information. Once we understand the learning styles of students, it enables teachers to customize their instructional strategies depending on the unique needs of the student, and this enriches the learning experience and ensures better engagement, which in turn promotes deeper understanding and enhanced knowledge retention. Learning style plays a vital role in augmenting academic performance and improving knowledge retention among medical students. A wide range of factors cumulatively determine the learning styles of medical students, and as educators, we must take into account these potential factors, which often act in combination. In conclusion, understanding and accommodating different learning styles play an instrumental role in aiding educators customize their instructional methods and materials to meet the diversified needs of medical students, which is crucial to develop an inclusive learning environment.