Deep Learning
My personal role as an instructor is to get to know my student well and further develop their way of thinking. This might be regarding theory material or clinical task; regardless of the lesson being taught, comprehension of any learned material is a function of the human brain.
In an effort to better comprehend “deep learning” one must completely understand the anatomy and physiology of the brain. As a nursing instructor, a better understanding of brain function and how it affects different learning styles is of significant importance when considering development of curriculum. Creating an educational atmosphere that incorporates “active, deep learning” involves an even deeper comprehension that includes knowledge of different student learning styles. For example, synthesis and ability correlate new ideas to existing experiences and knowledge; this is a right brain activity and also a function of deep learning and is an intrinsic or inherent brain function that some students may find easier than others. Critical thinking and reasoning are nursing skills that mostly involve left brain function and are much more extrinsic or learned skills that may require strategic learning strategies inclusive of both deep and surface learning techniques within the development of nursing curriculum; again, some students may be better at this than others.
Getting to know each student within the first few days of an orientation period or beginning of a course will provide the instructor with some personal insight as to how to best progress with classroom instruction and activities; this may be done with something as simple as a learning style assessment test. Remembering that comprehension of a student’s ability to learn provides an instructor with the knowledge of how to best deliver instruction in a classroom is important. However, it is also significant to remember that a good instructor remember that students also have the capacity to change their learning style. Studies have found that utilization of active, deep learning strategies promote teaching efficiency and long term student comprehension of educational material. Utilization of active, deep learning techniques have also been proven to establish better communication skills, collaboration techniques, test scores, course assessments and development of self-directed learners.
Personally, nursing was my calling and every minute of nursing theory and clinical rotation I was energized and intrigued; however, I realize it is not like that for every student. Over the past twenty-five years (as both a student and nursing instructor) I have found that my personal love of learning has strengthened my teaching skills and that deep, active learning keeps students engaged and prompts not only participation, but often fascination during what otherwise may just have been a boring, tedious lecture.