The aims of this study were to reveal university students' self-directed learning skills and determine whether these skills vary based on university type, gender, field of study, year of study, academic success, type of university entrance score, income level, and the desire to pursue a graduate degree. Also, this study explored the relationship between university students' self-directed learning skills and their lifelong learning tendencies. The study group of the survey comprised 2,600 first and fourth-year students from same departments of Hacettepe and Başkent Universities. The study collected its data by using “Self-Directed Learning Skills Scale” designed by Aşkin (2015). Moreover, Diker-Coşkun's “Lifelong Learning Tendencies Scale” was used to explore the relationship between university students' self-directed learning skills and their lifelong learning tendencies. The results revealed that university students' self-directed learning scores were above the median score of the scale. Self-directed learning skills were found not to vary based on university, year of study, income level. However, gender, field of study, university entrance score type, academic success and the desire to pursue a graduate degree made a significant difference on university students' self-directed learning skills. Finally, a moderate positive relationship was detected between self-directed learning skills and lifelong learning tendencies. In summary it can be said that, undergraduate students have self-directed learning skills and these skills are related to lifelong learning.
To date, researchers have frequently investigated students' attitudes toward courses supported by problem-based learning. There are several studies with different results in the literature. It is necessary to combine and interpret the findings of these studies through a meta-analysis method. This method aims to combine different results of similar and independent studies through statistical techniques. Research findings of 47 studies that meet the criteria for meta-analysis are included in the meta-analysis of the study to determine the effects of problem-based learning on students' attitudes as compared to traditional teaching. Also, some mediator variables are as follows: the status of a study, application time, education levels, scientific field of application, and sample size. As a result of the analysis, it has been found that problem-based learning has a low positive effect on students' attitudes. It means that problem-based learning is effective in helping students gain a positive attitude toward courses.
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