Helping Students Learn and Learn How to Learn in the Context of Health Occupations Instruction

Students are rarely taught how to learn. They are taught content such as science and math but rarely how to learn such content. In health occupations, as in all areas, instructors can help students learn by embedding strategy instruction within their courses. To do so, instructors must first understand a few learning principles. With these principles, instructors can design instruction consistent with the ways learners should learn. Using these learner-compatible methods, instructors can teach students how to learn. This instruction is accomplished by overtly modeling learner strategies, describing their benefit, and providing students with opportunities to practice the strategies across settings. Producing learners who can learn is an important part of preparing health occupations students to meet the expectations and demands awaiting them as health occupations providers.