Personality Patterns Affect Learning

ExtrovertsFind energy in people and thingsPrefer interaction with others and are

described as “on-the-fly” thinkersTalk more than listen and learn by teaching

othersOften begin spontaneously “teaching”

others and realize they do not really understand the topic

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Personality Patterns Affect Learning

IntrovertsFind energy in the inner world of ideas,

concepts, and abstractionsListen more than talkCan be sociable, but need quiet to recharge

their batteriesConcentrators and reflective thinkers who

want to understand the worldDisconnected “chunks” of information are

not considered knowledge

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Learning PreferencesEveryone learns differentlyPeople think differently

ObserversListenersDoers

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Learning StylesPerceptual Learning Styles

Vision Learn primarily with their eyes

Auditory Learn primarily by listening

Kinesthetic Learn primarily by hands-on tasks

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Visual LearnersSit in front of the classStay focused on the teacher’s facial expression and

body languageMake notes in class and highlight, color code, and use

mind maps to process and learn contentRewrite notes in your own words as a form of studying Use index cards for review or memorizationReview films or videosLook for reference books that contain pictures, graphs,

or charts, or draw your ownRequest demonstrations and observational experiences

before practicing a new skill“Picture” a procedure rather than memorizing steps

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Auditory LearnersListen carefully if the instructor summarizes what you

will be learningRead aloud or mouth the wordsRead important information into a tape recorder, and

then play it backDo well with traditional lecture or any lengthy

presentation; listen to the words instead of taking notes during class; tape the presentation

Find a “study buddy” or group with whom to discuss class content

Request permission to make audiotapes or oral reports Make up silly rhymes or songs to remember key pointsRequest verbal explanations of illustrations, graphs, and

diagrams Elsevier items and derived items © 2009, 2005 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 7

Kinesthetic LearnersHandle the equipment before you practice a nursing procedureMove while reading or reciting facts Change study positions often Use background music of your choice when studying at homeTake short breaks and do something active during that timeOffer to do a project as a way of enhancing a required

classroom presentationUse arrows to show relationship when taking notes Use flash cards, games, mnemonic clues, and other game-like

activities to reinforce content of long reading assignmentsDraw boxes, pictures, and circles around key concepts

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Categories of Multiple Intelligences

• Linguistic• Logical/mathematical• Spatial• Musical• Bodily/kinesthetic• Interpersonal• Intrapersonal

Linguistic Learner (The Word Player)

Take notes when you read this text and reduce the number of words you have included in the notes

Use these notes as your study source. Your love of words and vocabulary may cause you to become distracted from the key points

Review all written work before handing it in. Delete extra words and phrases that are not directly related to the topic

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Logical/Mathematical Learner (The Questioner)

Take the time to organize a method of study that fits you personally

Redo your notes to fit your study method, categorizing the material under titles

Study in an orderly area

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Spatial Learners (The Visualizer)

Make your own diagrams, boxes, or lists when they are not available in the book

Redo your notes using key concepts onlyBox key information in the text

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Musical Learner (The Music Lover)

Play your favorite music or hum while studying

Remind yourself which music relates to the content you are studying

Play an instrument while reviewing information in your head

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Bodily/Kinesthetic Learner (The Mover)

Move around when studyingIf you work out on a treadmill, stationary

bike, or StairMaster, it becomes a good time to read or review notes

Dance or act out concepts you are studying to experience the sensations involved

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Interpersonal Learner (The Socializer)

Organize and/or participate in a study group

Compare your understanding of material with that of other students

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Intrapersonal Learner (The Individual)

Work on individualized projectsTrust your instincts in regard to study

needs

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Personal Learning PreferencesIdentifying your own personal learning

preferences can help enhance and maximize your learning abilities.

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Right-brained IndividualsTend to be intuitive, imaginative, and

impulsivePrefer to start out with a broad idea

and then pursue supporting informationLearn best by:

Seeing and doing in an informal, busy, somewhat unstructured environment

Simulations, group discussion, panels, and activity-based learning

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Left-brained IndividualsTend to be analytical, rational, and

objectiveLearn best by:

Putting together many facts to arrive at a general understanding

Having traditional lectures, demonstrations, and assigned readings

Females seem to be more able to transition the opposite brain approaches if needed than males

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Passive ListenerPassive listener

Receives sounds with little recognition or personal involvement

May be doodling, staring out the window, or even staring at the instructor

Thinking about having to change the oil in the car or deciding what to cook for dinner

Active ListenerActive Listener

Always thinking, not just hearing the words Listens with full attention, is open-minded and

curious, and is always asking questions about the content

Really listens to hear, is searching for relevant information and strives to understand it

Always trying to figure out how content fits into the big picture

Tips for Active ListeningBe well restedComplete all necessary work before classFocus on lessonListen for ideas, not factsAsk questionsMake eye contact with speakerListen to peersAsk for help when needed

ProcrastinationBesides fear of failure, other causes for

putting off what is important are ill health, laziness, and past successful episodes of procrastination

MinitaskingA sure way to finish unpleasant, difficult,

and time-consuming tasks is to reduce the entire task to a series of minitasks

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Importance of Study SkillsLack of study skills is a primary reason for

lack of success in schoolHigh school/college learning skills do not

always translate to the practical/vocational nursing program

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ConcentrationExternal Distractions

Personal study area Chosen areas should be associated with learning,

not with daydreaming or napping Lighting

Eyestrain can occur if lighting allows glare, shadows, or flicker to exist

Background noise Some learners concentrate better with background

sounds Other learners require quiet surroundings

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ConcentrationExternal Distractions

Internet Watch your time when you are online because hours

can slip by before you know it Your peers

Energy devoted to some activities can seriously deplete the energy needed to achieve success

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ConcentrationInternal Distractions

Complaints of mental fatigue Keep up your physical self with proper food, sleep,

and exercise At the first sign of getting tired, take a short break

(not a snooze) and come back to new material so that you can get your mental second wind

Daydreaming Every time you find your mind wandering from the

topic at hand, try putting a check mark on a piece of paper that you keep at your side

This may remind you that you are drifting off and need to get back to work

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Note TakingSuggestions for note making

Actively listen for the main ideasCapture them in a way that reflects your personal

learning style or stylesUnderstand the information; don’t memorize it

Two methods for making and reviewing notesOutlining method

Involves adapting normal loose-leaf paper so that you have room to take notes, summarize content, and test yourself on your notes

Mapping (concept map) Information is organized graphically so that it is seen in a visual

pattern of relationships

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Reading Effectively Read in phrases, a few words at a time, rather than word

by word Move your lips while reading Put expression into your reading Be aware of your reading assignments that are technical

or scientific in nature and vary your reading speed accordingly

Underline unfamiliar words as you read Copy the unfamiliar words on an index card and write the

definition on the other side of the card Using index cards allows your language development to

progress because you can take the cards wherever you go Underline key phrases and write in the margin Elsevier items and derived items © 2009,

2005 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 30

Visual Strategies to Enhance Understanding Draw Idea Sketches

Emphasis of idea sketches is not on the quality of the drawing, but on the process you must go through to take a verbal concept and represent it graphically, without words

Use stick figures and describe the concept verbally

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Visual Strategies to Enhance Understanding

Use color in whatever form of note making you useUse highlighters, crayons, colored pencils,

or felt-tip pensAvoid merely underlining or highlighting the

sentencesUse the different colors to help capture and

direct your attention to information that fits in different categories

The different colors will help your brain organize and retrieve information

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Visual Strategies to Enhance UnderstandingMake your own diagrams as you read

If you produce a sketch of an idea, you will have brought the right side of your brain into use

Using both sides of the brain encourages the storage and retrieval of information

Those who rely solely on pictures of ideas, benefit by also using words

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Importance of Study SkillsLack of study skills is a primary reason for

lack of success in schoolHigh school/college learning skills do not

always translate to the practical/vocational nursing program

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Hints for Active ListeningBe well restedComplete all necessary work before classFocus on lessonListen for ideas, not factsAsk questionsMake eye contact with speakerListen to peersAsk for help when needed

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Memory AidsMnemonic devices are examples of

memory aidsRhymes Acronyms

Memorizing these can help the practical/vocational nurse remember a series of informationCMTSPPERRLA

They do not take the place of or help you understand the informationElsevier items and derived items © 2009,

2005 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 36

Preparation for the TestPreparation for test taking begins the first

day of class Clarify content to be covered on the test and

the form of the testPeriodically review the material you have

already studiedUse time-management techniques to help you

organize your time before the test

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Taking the TestArrive at the classroom with plenty of

time to get your favorite seat, arrange your pencils, and so on

It may be best for some students to arrive just in time for the test so they do not have to listen to all that chatter

Keep a positive mental attitudeSilently rehearse your facts to keep out

distractionsTake slow, deep breaths to reduce

tension Elsevier items and derived items © 2009, 2005 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 39

Taking the TestQuickly skim the entire examination Avoid spending large amounts of time on difficult

questions and do not get upset about them Take the full time for the test Make sure you have not missed an item or group

of items If it is a multiple-choice examination, make sure

your answers match up with the proper slot on the answer sheet

If you are using a separate answer sheet that will be machine corrected, be sure you erase your first answer completely if you change answers

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Reviewing Your TestsRead the items you missed Read the items you answered correctly Decide which of your study skills and test-

taking techniques are and are not working to your benefitModify your test-taking strategies accordingly

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Hints for Specific TestsObjective Tests—Multiple Choice

Read over all the options given before making any decision

Eliminate the options you know are definitely wrong

When a number is involved, consider the number in the mid-range

Remember the course subject matter for which you are being tested

Eliminate options that are not related to the subject matter

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Personal Health PromotionBalanced Diet

Stress Management

Exercise Program

Avoid Negative Coping Mechanisms

Balanced DietNeed well balanced dietFruits and Vegetables are essential for good

healthLean proteinLow fat dairyLimit processed foodsComplex carbohydratesWater Limit caffeine

Stress ManagementRecreation

Enjoyable activitiesChoose activities that are not high-stress

RelaxationDecrease in pulse, respiratory rate, metabolic

rate, blood pressure, muscular tensionMany methods are available

MeditationQuiet environment, mental device (sound, word

or phrase evoking a sense of calm), passive attitude, and comfortable position are required

Stress ManagementImagery

Visualization of calm, happy place in complete detail

Visualization of situation and how to progress through it successfully

Not the same as guided imagery used in psychotherapy

Brief relaxation techniquesYawning, doing nothing, breathing easy

Progressive relaxationTense all muscle groups in order

Stress ManagementYoga

Strengthens body, increases flexibility, improves circulation, lowers blood pressure, reduces stress

Presented in different formsSleep

Adequate sleep is the most necessary method of dealing with personal stress. Don’t “take your worries to bed”

Go to bed at the same timeDevelop a pattern that helps you feel rested

Exercise ProgramAny amount of exercise is helpful Choose an activity you like that fits in with your

busy lifestyle Start slowly and listen to your body Check first with your doctor if you have medical

issues

Vigorous Physical Activity Running/joggingBicyclingSwimmingAerobic exerciseWalking very fastHeavy yard workWeight liftingBasketball The target heart rate during physical

activity should be 60% to 90% of the maximum heart rate

Back InjuriesPrevalence of back injuries in nursing is

among the highest of any professionMany back injuries occur in nurses despite

body mechanics educationIncreased obesity in nurses and patientsWomen often have less upper-body strength

than men, on whom body-mechanics studies were based

Bedside clutter and small, awkward spaces in hospital rooms

Many nursing tasks involve unnatural positions, such as bending forward with twisted torso

Negative Coping MechanismsCoping mechanisms include projection,

rationalization, denial, compensation.Person has a need.Goal is to have need met.Obstacles cause frustration and anxiety.Person feels threatened.Person uses mental coping mechanisms.If coping mechanisms fail, distress or

physical/mental symptoms result.Problem-solving skills help meet needs.

Negative Coping Mechanisms Projection

A coping mechanism during which individuals attribute their own weaknesses to others

RationalizationA logical but untrue reason is offered as an

excuse for the behavior Denial

The nurse refuses to recognize the existence and significance of the patient’s personal concerns

Compensation Covering an inadequacy by developing or

exaggerating a desirable trait

Chemical DependencyAbuse is drinking so much that you get

drunkAlcoholism is an addiction

Body craves alcoholPhysical effects result from its withdrawal

Two emotional characteristics pose challenge to treatment: Denial system is very strongPerson who drinks is usually a skilled

manipulator

Chemical DependencyAbuse of alcohol or other drugsSigns

Complaints by staff, students, patientsAccidents, errors in documentationIncreased volunteering to take call for others during

evening and night shiftsArriving early, staying late to assist in the narcotic countFrequent absenteeismIrritability, mood swingsPerforming minimum amount of workInability to perform psychomotor skills