Student perceptions about self-directed learning in a professional course implementing problem-based learning

Abstract

In a climate of rapid change and proliferating knowledge, there is an onus on teachers in higher education to assume more responsibility for helping students to develop as self-directed learners in their courses. In particular, problem-based learning is a potential educational framework within which to provide this assistance. From its theoretical basis, the paper reports on a study which explored the perceptions held by a group of students about their self-directed learning during a university semester. The professional course within which the students were enrolled implemented problem-based learning, and overtly encouraged the development of self-directed learning ability as one of the published objectives of the course. Results showed significant changes in their perception of the importance of self-directed learning; and highly significant changes in their perceptions of their ability as self-directed learners. It is suggested that the results are most likely due to the influence of the educational environment.

Collaborative Environments through Dialogues and PBL to Encourage the Self-directed Learning in Computational Sciences

“…Meanwhile, Ryan [4] mentioned that teachers in higher education need more responsibility for helping the students to develop self-directed learners. At the same time it was proposed problem-based learning as a potential framework to provide this assistance.…”

“…In particular, problem-based learning is a potential educational framework within which it can be provided this assistance [4]. In the pediatric domain, Ozuah et al [5] is concerned with the effect of PBL on self-directed learning, concluding that pediatric residents exposed to PBL are engaged in significantly higher levels of self-directed learning than their counterparts.…”

An Investigation into Pre-Service Teachers’ Perceptions of Learning Primary School Science Using the Method of Problem Based Learning (PBL)

“…This is one of the great merits of PBL since the child charts a course to him/herself in self directed learning. Ryan (1993) concludes that "students perceived SDL (Self Directed Learning) as important from the onset of the study. The students' perceived ability to perform SDL increased with the use of PBL..." (p.8) PBL has also been adopted by engineers because it satisfies similar needs by the engineering profession.…”

Untitled

“…Course objectives should also be overt in their expectations that students become successful self-directed learners as well as requiring students to demonstrate successful self-directedness in their learning (Knowles, 1975;Ryan, 1993). The design of learning outcomes within PBL is not tantamount to the idea of expressing educational goals as unambiguous statements of predicted behavioural objectives which are derived from a given learning experience.…”

“…Ryan (1993) suggests that the educational environments require the following characteristics for effective self-directed learning to occur:…”