Self-directed learning: assessment of students’ abilities and their perspective

Abstract

<jats:p> The introduction of Competency-Based Medical Education Curriculum in India has endorsed many new concepts, like foundation course, self-directed learning (SDL), early clinical exposure, etc. Emphasis is being given to active teaching-learning approaches. One such approach is SDL. SDL is an active learning approach in which the students are responsible for their own learning outcome, with teacher acting as a facilitator of learning. A medical graduate, being a lifelong learner, should inculcate the habit of SDL. In the present study, the SDL abilities of first year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery students were assessed using a questionnaire. Based on their experience, students were also asked about the prerequisites of SDL, how it can be promoted, and their expectations from the teachers. Students scored high in most of the SDL skills. However, they felt they need improvement in time management. Furthermore, the students are required to develop their interpersonal communication skills, and they also find it difficult to express messages effectively in oral presentations. Most of the students felt they need help in finding the correct learning resources. According to them, the students should be focused, motivated and stress-free, have time management skills, and be able to search learning resources for successful implementation of SDL. They felt that events that encourage active participation by students, if organized at regular intervals, could promote SDL. Some felt that evaluation of SDL would motivate them to take it seriously. According to the students, teacher should act as a facilitator, a mentor, as well as an evaluator. </jats:p>

Approbation of Self-directed Learning by first year medical students: a mixed method study

“…Another study also showed that the students face difficulty in finding the correct learning resources. 18 Students wanted seminars and other such activities to be conducted as a part of the SDL session to promote active participation of all the students. It has been shown that a change in learning and behaviour in medical students is evident with conduction of such activities.…”

“…Presence of these skills helps students in acquiring self-directed learning skills. 17,18 Although medical students possess most of these skills owing to their vast curriculum and the pace of the course, some of the students have identified lack of time and stress management skills and inter communication skills as some of the areas where they need improvement. 18…”

“…Another study also showed that the students face difficulty in finding the correct learning resources. 18…”

“…Presence of these skills helps students in acquiring selfdirected learning skills. 17,18 Although medical students possess most of these skills owing to their vast curriculum and the pace of the course, some of the students have identified lack of time and stress management skills and inter communication skills as some of the areas where they need improvement. 18 In the current study, students scored high in most of the items of the feedback questionnaire, however they felt that SDL did not help them in improving their analytical skills.…”

“…17,18 Although medical students possess most of these skills owing to their vast curriculum and the pace of the course, some of the students have identified lack of time and stress management skills and inter communication skills as some of the areas where they need improvement. 18 In the current study, students scored high in most of the items of the feedback questionnaire, however they felt that SDL did not help them in improving their analytical skills. The students in our study were pre-clinical phase 1 medical students, they still need to develop the skills of integrating, reasoning and analyzing.…”