Applying Learning Theories to

Healthcare Practice
HED WEEK 3
DEFINITION
• THEORY is a set of interrelationship
concepts, definitions and propositions that
present a systematic view of phenomena
by specifying relationships among
variables with the purpose of explaining
and predicting the phenomena.
( KERLINGER, 1964)
• TEACHING is a form of interpersonal
influence aim at changing the behaviour of
potential of another.( NL GARE)
Learning Theories related to health care practice:

• Behaviorism
• Cognitivism
• Constructivism
• Connectivism
INTRODUCTION

• The teaching and learning process as

component of nurse patient
relationship involves understanding
the theories and principles of learning
and how they enhance client
education. ( Miller-Stoeckel Client
Education Model).
VALUE OF THEORY
• Theory is a way to explain some
observed phenomenon
• Theories make help sense of the world
and research finding ( The Merriam-
Webster Dictionary)
• Theories provide theoretical framework
to view the process of learning, the
progress of learners and nurses role as
an educators.
You need Theory when you:
• Confront a new situation and what you
already know does not apply to that situation.
• What to increase your understanding of
something relatively familiar.
• Face a familiar situation, but what you know
does not work.
• Wish to teach what you know to a colleague
or client.
You need Theory when you:

• Question a validity of a
cherished belief.
• Explore a new hypotheses.
• Observe event for which you
cannot find no explanation.
LEARNING

• A relatively permanent change in

thinking, emotional functioning, skills
and/ or behaviour as a result of
experience. It is the process by which
individuals gain knowledge and skills
and change of their thoughts,
feelings, attitude and actions.
Learning theories in Nursing
• BEHAVIORISM- new behaviors or
changes in behaviors are acquired through
associations between stimuli and
response.
• BEHAVIORISM- focuses on tangible,
observable behaviors, such as learning to
give an injections, changing dietary
practices, and safely bathing an infant.
• BEHAVIORIST believes that
is a change in an
observable behavior and it
happens when the
communication occurs
between two events, a
stimulus and a response.
• COGNITIVISM-Learning occurs through
internal processing of information.
• COGNITIVISM focuses on the thought
processes as humans learn, for example,
seeing the a relationship between food
intake and blood glucose levels, using
memory tricks to recall health instructions,
and gaining insight into one’s own
behavior.
• CONSTRUCTIVISM- we construct our
own knowledge of world based on based
on individual experiences.
•
Kolb's learning style theory
Kolb's learning style theory
• Kolb described each learning style as a
combination of the four basic learning
modes (concrete experience, abstract
conceptualization, active experimentation,
and reflective observation), identifying
separate learning style types that best
define the strengths and weaknesses of a
learner.
Kolb's learning style theory
• Diverging / Divergent
• Combines the learning modes of CE and RO.
– People with this learning style are good at viewing concrete
situations from many points of view.
– They like to observe, gather information, and gain insights
rather than take action.
– Working in groups to generate ideas appeals to them. They
place a high value on understanding for knowledge’s sake
and like to personalize learning by connecting information
with something familiar in their experiences.
– They have active imaginations, enjoy being involved, and are
sensitive to feelings.
– Divergent thinkers learn best, for example, through group
discussions and participating in brainstorming sessions.
Kolb's learning style theory

• Assimilating/ Assimilator
• Combines the learning modes of RO and AC.
– People with this learning style demonstrate the ability to
understand large amounts of information by putting it into
concise and logical form.
– They are less interested in people and more focused on
abstract ideas and concepts.
– They are good at inductive reasoning, value theory over
practical application of ideas, and need time to reflect on what
has been learned and how information can be integrated into
their past experiences. They rely on knowledge from experts.
– Assimilative thinkers learn best, for example, through lecture,
one-toone instruction, and self-instruction methods with
ample reading materials to support their learning.
Kolb's learning style theory

• Converging: / Convergent
• Combines the learning modes of AC and AE.
– People with this learning style type find practical application
for ideas and theories and have the ability to use deductive
reasoning to solve problems.
– They like structure and factual information, and they look for
specific solutions to problems. Learners with this style prefer
technical tasks rather than dealing with social and
interpersonal issues.
– Kolb postulates that individuals with this learning style have
skills that are important for specialist and technology careers.
– The convergent thinker learns best, for example, through
demonstration–return demonstration methods of teaching
accompanied by handouts and diagrams.
Kolb's learning style theory
• Accommodating:
• Combines the learning modes of AE and CE.
– People with this learning style learn best by hands-on
experience and enjoy new and challenging situations. They
act on intuition and “gut feelings” rather than on logic.
– These risk takers like to explore all possibilities and learn
by experimenting with materials and objects.
– Accommodative thinkers are perhaps the most challenging
to educators because they demand new and exciting
experiences and are willing to take risks that might
endanger their safety.
– Role-playing, gaming, and computer simulations, for
example, are methods of teaching most preferred by this
style of learner.
Learning style models and instrument

• Ned Hermann developed a four-quadrant

model of cognitive preferences and a
questionnaire called Hermann Brain
Dominance Instrument (HBDI). HBDI is
based on the idea that one part of the
brain is dominant over the others.
• HBDI Preferences:
• Brain dominance leads to thinking style
preferences, which impact what you pay
attention to and how and in what way you
learn best
• Each quadrant has preferred learning or
thinking activities.
• The A quadrant thinkers prefer quantifying,
analyzing, theorizing, and processing logically.
• The B quadrant thinkers prefer organizing,
sequencing, evaluating, and practicing.
• The C quadrant thinkers prefer sharing,
internalizing, moving, and being involved.
• The D quadrant thinkers prefer exploring,
discovering, conceptualizing, and synthesizing.
Environmental preference survey.

• The comprehensive Productivity

Environmental Preference Survey (PEPS)
identifies 16 different components of
learning style and productivity. It identifies
the conditions under which an adult is most
likely to produce, achieve, create, solve
problems, make decisions, and learn in
occupational or educational activities.
These are the 16 factors identified by the
PEPS:
Environmental preference survey.

• Immediate Environment
– Sound
– Temperature
– Light
– Design
• Emotional Factor
– Motivation
– Persistence
– Structured or Flexibility
Environmental preference survey.
• Sociological Needs
– Alone or peer oriented
– Authority oriented
• Perceptual Preferences
– Auditory
– Tactile
– Visual
– Kinesthetic
• Physical Needs
– Intake
– Time of day
– Mobility
 Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory
• Disposition / Intelligence: Verbal Linguistic-
Sounds, meaning, structures and style of language
• Sensitivity to: Speaking, writing, listening, reading
• Inclination to: Ability to:
– Speak effectively
• Teacher
• Religious leader
• Politician
– Write effectively
• Poet
• Journalist
• Novelist
• Copywriter
• Editor
Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory

• Disposition/ Intelligence: Logical-Mathematical – patterns, numbers, numerical

data, cause and effects, objectives and quantitative reasoning.
• Sensitivity to:
– Finding patterns
– Making calculations
– Forming and testing hypothesis
– Using scientific method
– Deductive and inductive method
• Inclination to: Ability to:
– Work effectively with numbers
• Accountant
• Statistician
• Economist
• Reason effectively
• Engineer
• Scientist
• Computer programmer
Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory
• Disposition/ Intelligence: Spatial – colors, shapes, visual puzzles,
symmetry, lines, images.
• Sensitivity to:
– Representing ideas visually
– Creating mental images
– Noticing visual details
– Drawing and sketching
• Inclination to: Ability to:
• Create visually
– Artist
– Photographer
– Engineer
– Decorator
• Visualize accurately
– Tour guide
– Scout
– Ranger
 Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory
• Disposition/ Intelligence: Bodily-Kinesthetic- touch, movement,
physical athleticism.
• Sensitivity to:
– Activities requiring strength
– Speed
– Flexibility
– Hand-eye coordination
– Balance
• Inclination to: Ability to:
– Use of hands to create or fix
• Mechanic
• Surgeon
• Carpenter
• Mason
• Sculptor
– Use the body expressively
• Dancer
• Athlete
• Actor
Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory
• Disposition/ Intelligence: Musical Intelligence- tone,
tempo, melody, pitch, sound
• Sensitivity to:
– Listening
– Singing
– Playing instruments
• Inclination to: Ability to:
– Create music
• Song writer
• Composer
• Musician
• Conductor
– Analyze music
• Music critic
 Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory
• Disposition/ Intelligence: Interpersonal
Intelligence-body language, moods, voice,
feeling.
• Sensitivity to:
– Noticing and responding to other people’s feeling and
personality
• Inclination to: Ability to:
– Work with people
• Administrators
• Managers
• Teachers
– Help people overcome problems
• Therapists
• Psychologist
Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory

• Disposition/ Intelligence- Intrapersonal

Intelligence- one’s own strength,
weaknesses, goals, and desires
• Sensitivity to:
– Setting goals
– Assessing personal abilities and liabilities,
monitoring one’s own thinking
• Inclination to: Ability to:
– Meditate, reflect, exhibit self discipline,
maintain composure, and get the most of
oneself
 Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence Theory
• Disposition/ Intelligence: Naturalist Intelligence – natural
objects, plants, animals, naturally occurring patterns,
ecological issues.
• Sensitivity to:
– Identifying and classifying living things and natural objects
• Inclination to: Ability to:
– Analyze ecological and natural situations and data
• Ecologist and rangers
– Learn from living things
• Zoologist
• Botanist
• Veterinarian
– Work in natural settings
• Hunter
• Scout
Watch the following you tube using the link below;

• https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6LEcM0E0i
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• https://
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• https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvxraaGYWuc
• https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbe25oKpqbs