Independent study is actually a range of strategies involving student participation in selecting topics to investigate; designing investigative plans, procedures, and products; establishing and employing evaluative criteria; conducting the investigation; and sharing its findings. This article shows how to gauge student readiness for structured- or…

Describes a study of American Library Association members that gathered data on self-directed, informal, work-related learning. Compares time spent in formal continuing-education activities with self-directed learning (SDL), and examines relationships among variables likely to influence SDL including size of the institution and professional…

A practice-based learning model, involving self-directed learning, critical self-reflection, intentional active learning, and learning community, provides a way to structure informal continuing professional education (CPE) that occurs in practice. As individuals assume more responsibility for their learning, the legitimacy of informal CPE should…

Interviews with adults experienced in foreign language self-instruction generated profiles of language experience at learner and self-instructed language-token levels. Results showed separations between languages with and without self-instruction. The most effective learning route was starting with classwork. Ab initio self-instruction produced…

The Computerized Braille Tutor is an interactive software tutorial that sighted persons can use to learn the literary braille code. The software presents 15 lessons that address different aspects of the literary braille code and include braille-translation exercises, proofreading exercises, and graded self-evaluation proficiency tests. (Author)

This article reviews self-study programs that teach braille to sighted people. Programs include "Just Enough to Know Better,""Braille Reading for Family Members,""Handbook for Learning to Read Braille by Sight,""New Programmed Instruction in Braille,""Braille Codes and Calculations,""Literary Braille Refresher Course for Teachers and…

Identifies the extent to which the "Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale" (SDLRS) is a reliable and valid instrument for use with graduate students (N=356). Argues that the results of the study warrant the integration of such developmental constructs as tolerance, self-concept, creativity, initiative, self-understanding, and…

Nursing students used a research module either in self-study groups (n=6) or class sessions (n=6). There were few differences in knowledge or attitudes. Overall, the ratings were higher for those in the taught class rather than self-study. (SK)

Shares experiences of a human resource development (HRD) book group. Offers practical startup tips, descriptions of different types of book groups, and lessons learned about such groups. Suggests that membership on an HRD book group is an opportunity for self-directed learning in a social context, and it fosters a mindset for lifelong learning.…

Of 19 college algebra classes, 12 used WeBWorK and 7 used traditional paper and pencil homework (PPH). Given the earlier quantitative result that no significant difference in performance between WeBWorK and PPH classes was found, a qualitative analysis of 358 student and instructor surveys revealed 3 primary categories of student perceptions…

The internal motivation to learn sets adult learners apart from children. Self-directed learning is associated with adult learners with the maturity to realize what they need to know and the internal motivation to learn it. This article provides sites to learn more about adult learning and resources to help support one's own informal,…

In our cognitive motivational process model (Vollmeyer & Rheinberg, "Zeitschrift fur Padagogische Psychologie," 12:11-23, 1998) we assume that initial motivation affects performance via motivation during learning and learning strategies. These variables are also central for self-regulation theories (e.g., M. Boekaerts, "European Psychologist,"…

Playing the role of constructive critic of articles in this special issue, I adopt the term self-reliance to refer to work habits, work styles, volition, and self-regulated learning. Starting with the belief that developing self-reliance is an important goal of education, I examine key issues that influence the likelihood of reaching this goal. I…

This study used meta-analytic techniques to examine the relationship between emotional intelligence (EI) and performance outcomes. A total of 69 independent studies were located that reported correlations between EI and performance or other variables such as general mental ability (GMA) and the Big Five factors of personality. Results indicated…

New learning theory, underpinning the idea of teaching for self-directed learning, provides new conceptions of learning: the self-regulation of learning, the construct-character of knowledge, the social nature of learning and a dynamic model of intelligence. What conceptions teachers hold may be related to their tolerance of uncertainty. We…