Fostering self-directed learning in the university setting

Wilcox, Susan

doi:10.1080/03075079612331381338

Cited by 76 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The current student profile at the university where the study was undertaken started to emerge during the 1980s, when the institution initiated an affirmative action admissions policy designed to broaden access particularly for students from all historically disadvantaged communities (Bozalek, 2013). For the non-traditional and adult learner, the concepts of self and self-directed learning are vital (HylandRussell & Groen, 2011) in that they feed into their individual learning approaches; this in turn advances the philosophy of learner-centredness (Wilcox, 1996).Learning styles have been variously defined in the literature. For this study the overall notion of learning profile will be used to refer to students' personal traits (such as biological, cultural and societal factors; emotional and social influences; academic record and learning preferences) that optimise the individual's learning (Powell & Kusuma-Powell, 2011;Rollnick, Lubben, Lotz & Dlamini, 2002).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Learning Profiles of Social Work Students: Who Are You and How Should This Influence My Teaching?

Dykes¹,

Green²

2015

SWORK

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This qualitative study explores the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) of social work students on notions of students' learning profile. Data were obtained from both student and staff participants on third year level within the social work programme during the teaching of a particular module focusing on family wellbeing. The implications of strong reactions during teaching and learning are juxtaposed against the notions of students' learning profile and participants' teaching and learning suggestions. Several recommendations are made that have emerged from the study that attempt to relate to students' learning profile in social work professional learning. 577Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk 2015:51(4) LEARNING PROFILES OF SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS: WHO ARE YOU AND HOW SHOULD THIS INFLUENCE MY TEACHING?Glynnis Dykes, Sulina Green INTRODUCTIONInternationally, classrooms reflect an increasingly diverse world of differing ages, abilities, cultures, interests, motivations and difficulties (Rosslyn, 2004;Tomlinson, Brighton, Hertberg, Callahan, Moon, Brimijoin, Conover & Reynolds, 2003). The situation in South Africa is no different. The majority of South African students currently in higher education are first-generation (non-traditional) students commonly (and indiscriminately) described as underprepared, coming from impoverished backgrounds in terms of economic strength, poor schooling and socio-cultural resources, and using English as additional language (Bozalek, 2013;Carelse & Dykes, 2013;Collins & Van Breda, 2010;Hlalele, 2010;Smit, 2012).In order to facilitate learning for these diverse groups, it is vital to know who the adult learner is in terms of the role of personal circumstances in the learning endeavour, as well as to ascertain how adults learn (Merriam, Caffarella & Baumgartner, 2007;Ramsden, 1992). The current student profile at the university where the study was undertaken started to emerge during the 1980s, when the institution initiated an affirmative action admissions policy designed to broaden access particularly for students from all historically disadvantaged communities (Bozalek, 2013). For the non-traditional and adult learner, the concepts of self and self-directed learning are vital (HylandRussell & Groen, 2011) in that they feed into their individual learning approaches; this in turn advances the philosophy of learner-centredness (Wilcox, 1996).Learning styles have been variously defined in the literature. For this study the overall notion of learning profile will be used to refer to students' personal traits (such as biological, cultural and societal factors; emotional and social influences; academic record and learning preferences) that optimise the individual's learning (Powell & Kusuma-Powell, 2011;Rollnick, Lubben, Lotz & Dlamini, 2002). A learning profile consists of two dimensions (Fry, Ketteridge & Marshall, 2009;Vanthournout, Coertjens, Gijbels, Donche & Van Petegem, 2013), namely, learning styles (stable personal characteristics of the learner), and learning approaches (cha...

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Learning Profiles of Social Work Students: Who Are You and How Should This Influence My Teaching?

Dykes¹,

Green²

2015

SWORK

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“…It corresponds to the fundamental principles of higher education, including personal autonomy, personal responsibility, and personal growth (Wilcox, 1996). Given the pervasive use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in higher education, nowadays, SDL with technology warrants further investigation because SDL as a process is particularly enhanced with the affordances of ICTs (Candy, 2004;Lee, Tsai, Chai, & Koh, 2014;Teo et al, 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors related to college students’ self-directed learning with technology

Şumuer

2018

AJET

110

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This study investigated factors influencing college students' self-directed learning with technology. A questionnaire was employed to obtain data from 153 college students on their selfdirected learning readiness, the use of Web 2.0 tools for learning, online communication selfefficacy, and computer self-efficacy to predict their self-directed learning with technology. The data were analysed using sequential multiple regression and mediation analyses. The results showed that the predictor variables explained 19% of the variation in self-directed learning with technology. Self-directed learning readiness and the use of Web 2.0 tools for learning were found to be significant predictors of students' self-directed learning with technology. Moreover, the results indicate that the use of Web 2.0 tools for learning significantly mediated the influence of students' online communication self-efficacy and computer self-efficacy on their self-directed learning with technology. This study suggests that students be provided with scaffolding or assistance, not only for self-directed learning skills and the use of Web 2.0 tools for learning, but also for computer use and online communication in order to enhance their self-directed learning with technology. IntroductionIn today's knowledge-based society, lifelong learning is an important prerequisite for coping with economic, occupational and social challenges. It involves 'all general education, vocational education and training, nonformal education and informal learning undertaken throughout life, resulting in an improvement in knowledge, skills and competences within a personal, civic, social and/or employment-related perspective' (European Parliament, & Council of the European Union, 2006a, p. 50). Individuals need to have several competencies in order to succeed in lifelong learning (European Parliament, & Council of the European Union, 2006b;Sharma, 2004). These competencies include learners taking more responsibility and initiative to arrange their own learning processes -from the awareness of learning needs to the evaluation of learning results individually or in a group, which refers to self-direction in a learning process. Self-directed learning (SDL) is regarded as both a prerequisite for and the outcome of lifelong learning (Loyens, Magda, & Rikers, 2008). It enables individuals to take control of their learning by deciding what and how to learn, with or without the support of others (Merriam & Bierema, 2014).In higher education, SDL is an important goal for improving the quality of student learning and preparing students for the future (Raidal & Volet, 2008). It corresponds to the fundamental principles of higher education, including personal autonomy, personal responsibility, and personal growth (Wilcox, 1996). Given the pervasive use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in higher education, nowadays, SDL with technology warrants further investigation because SDL as a process is particularly enhanced with the affordances of ICTs (Candy, 2004;Lee, T...

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“…Knowles [9] theorises that the andragogical model is based on the assumption that adult learners are generally self-directing learners, which has become a prominent feature of adult education theory and practice. Some educators suggest that adult education is synonymous with SDL [13]. According to Candy [14], SDL is a process and goal directed comprising of four distinct phenomena: personal autonomy, selfmanagement, learner control, and autodidaxy.…”

Section: Self-directed Learning (Sdl) Conceptmentioning

confidence: 99%