This self-directed staff development project was organized in order to utilize the learning-on-your-own concept within the context of professional development. Information is provided about the project's organization, about the types of learning projects undertaken, about barriers and aids to completing the projects, and about the role of…

This article reviews the history of self-directed learning for the gifted and describes the Autonomous Learner Model (Betts, 1985) which includes a strong affective component, career development, and guidelines for a process-based scope and sequence. Guidelines are provided for developing independent study programs for gifted learners. (Author/CB)

Dutch television producers investigated methods of redesigning thematic educational broadcasts directed at independent adult learning. Results focused on context and image, content, form, and appeal to the audience. (Author/LRW)

This article places continuing professional education evaluation in perspective and provides practical guidance to practitioners of continuing professional education who wish to improve the quality of their decision making. Examines evaluation methods and procedures, basic guidelines, self-directed learning, program improvement, and impact…

Data from studies of physicians learning through interaction with colleagues are reviewed. Examines time physicians spend in collegial interaction, formal consultation, age and specialty differences in collegial interaction, practice-setting differences related to collegial interaction, and the educational-influential physician. (CT)

Describes an experiment that examined the degree to which self-instructional training influences elementary school aged children's comprehension monitoring during reading, and notes that such training does, indeed, increase comprehension monitoring. (HOD)

Describes a program that helps students build general learning skills and subject specific skills. The success of the program is based on providing students an environment conducive to active learning. (MD)

Fifth- and sixth-grade students (N=154) participated in a study which found that cooperative learning situations, compared to individualistic ones, promoted more positive cross-sex and cross-handicap relationships. It was also found that males achieved higher and had more positive attitudes toward science than did females. (Author/JN)

Discusses potential uses of self-instructional units in professional education programs and suggests ways self-instructional units might be used to promote interdisciplinary health care and expansion of professional knowledge banks. (Author/CT)

Outlines positive and negative features of the lecture method and the resource-based learning method, recounts a personal experience with the responsive lecture, and discusses its potential. (MBR)

Provides guidelines for building self-instructional training packages to teach beginning microcomputer skills at any age level. Five steps are explained: outline curriculum and objectives, structure one lesson, produce the instruction, package the materials, and manage the lesson. (MBR)

Describes the individualized program of Mountain Open High School which at first coincidentally resembed Maurice Gibbons'"Walkabout" concept and was subsequently more consciously shaped by theory. Students move through three phases culminating in challenging independent projects of practical use. (MJL)

This model alternative program incorporates the elements of individualized instruction programs developed through diagnostic/prescriptive techniques, experimentation with innovative teaching practices, and an emphasis on students' use of community resources. In the last 2 years, no students have chosen the option of a "Walkabout"…

The operation of a "Walkabout" program at a large urban magnet school is reviewed. After frequent exposure to supervised community experiences in regular humanities courses students may undertake independent, semester-long Walkabout projects, usually career-oriented. (MJL)

Independent study is addressed as a creative and alternative mode of learning. Its unique advantages and strengths are examined along with its planning and structure, the student/instructor interaction, the use of learning resources, examples of disciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches, the products of such study, and methods of evaluation.…