Learning Styles of Nursing Students in Iran using the Kolb\'s Theory: A review Study

Background: learning style of students is one of the most important factors which influences on student learning. Some negative effects on nursing student learning can be observed as a result of imbalance between it and teaching methods. Using appropriate methods of teaching and determination of student learning styles can facilitate their leaning. Hence, this study aims to identify the most common learning styles of nursing students in Iran. Materials and Methods: The Iranian databanks including Magiran, SID, Medlib and Iran Medex are searched for relevant published articles from March 21, 1991 till July 2012. For searching international databases, English transcriptions of Iran were used. The Persian search terms that were equivalent from their English words included Learning styles, nursing students and the Kolb learning style. It is noted that this review research only includes studies that are based on the Kolb's theory and researches that discuss other learning styles are excluded from the review process. Results: Research articles that were based on the Kolb's theory of learning styles in entire of Iran has been collected and investigated. In all studies, learning styles of nursing students in several cities were searched for determining four styles of the Kolb's theory (Accommodating, Absorbent, Divergent and Convergent). The Convergent and Absorbing styles were dominant ones in the nursing students. These styles were ranged from 28.9% to 54.2% and 29.9% to 53.8%, respectively. Conclusions: In order to enhance students learning more attention are required to different learning styles. It is recommended the teachers shall attract more attentions in students' learning style and use appropriate teaching methods.