Teaching Pre-medical Science to large groups: matching teaching and learning styles in higher education

Abstract

English: This study compares the various preferred learning styles of students in a large Premedical Science class with the various preferred teaching styles of the lecturers. It includes an analysis and evaluation of the teaching methods and aids actually used by lecturers. Critical analysis of the data revealed that students have a stronger preference for being taught by means of co-operative and active teaching/learning experiences than their lecturers have for using such means. The emphasis of the study thus falls on the importance of actively involving students in the teaching/learning process by way of co-operative teaching/learning methods. This would be likely to enhance the students’ ability to utilise cognitive skills such as creative thinking, interpretation, critical thinking and problem-solving.

Afrikaans: Hierdie studie vergelyk die voorkeur van verskillende leerstyle onder studente in ’n groot klas vir Premediese Wetenskap met die voorkeur in onderrigstyle van hul dosente. In die studie word ’n analise en evaluering ingesluit van die onderrigmetodes en hulpmiddels wat huidiglik deur hierdie groep dosente gebruik word. Dit analiseer en evalueer ook die huidige onderrigmetodes en hulpmiddele wat hierdie groep dosente gebruik. ’n Kritiese analise van die data toon dat studente ’n groter voorkeur toon vir koöperatiewe en aktiewe onderrig-/leerervaringe as vir die tradisionele onderrigmetodes wat tans deur dosente gebruik word. Die studie beklemtoon verder die belangrikheid dat studente aktief en koöperatief betrokke sal wees in die onderrig- /leerproses. Daardeur kan kognitiewe vaardighede, soos kreatiewe denke, interpretasie, kritiese denke en probleem-oplossende denke ontwikkel word.