Six theoretical positions on human learning are identified as relevant to the development of self-direction: modeling; reinforcement; curiosity motivation; competency motivation; attribution theory and personal causation; and humanism. Four approaches to educational practice associated with self-direction are identified: experimental learning;…

Analyzed the biographies of twenty acknowledged experts without formal training beyond high school in search of commonalities that might suggest ways people become effectively self-directed in learning and accomplishment. Patterns of education and personality characteristics are discussed. (Author/CC)

Groups of adolescent, math-anxious girls were either tutored in mathematics, tutored with self-instruction to reduce anxiety, or received no treatment. Tutoring and self-instruction resulted in increased ranked preferences for math, while math achievement increased more for the self-instruction group. (Author/GK)

The Quality Circle is a simple management technique in which workers in the same production area meet to solve company problems. The Quality Circle has been applied to elementary and secondary schools in Japan to help students to develop creative problem solving skills and independent study skills. Recommendations are given for implementing…

Describes the University of Illinois' independent study approach for presenting fundamental concepts of librarianship to entering master's program students. The advantages and disadvantages of this approach are contrasted as it evolved from four formal courses and an intermediate team-taught approach. (RAA)

For several decades there has been a trend towards project work, independent study, and guidance from the lecturer rather than instruction. The library and other polytechnic-wide services, it is argued, can be exploited to produce more effective and economical means of achieving an institution's objectives. (MLW)

Ohliger debates the issues raised by Smith (CE 511 136), taking the view that mandatory continuing education is an unacceptable method of ensuring professional quality because it is inherently contradictory to the definition of professionalism, and its effectiveness has not been demonstrated convincingly. (SK)

Fifty-five college women enrolled in competency-based, humanistic, or self-directed educational programs listed reasons for program selection and completed personality inventories. The results question the assumption that different programs are for different personality types and suggest perceptions of purpose as more important factors. (MSE)

Reports on two do-it-yourself treatment programs for dealing with stage fright. One program followed a systematic desensitization paradigm; the other was a handout listing 16 strategies for understanding stage fright. Higher ratings were given to the handout strategy. A list of the 16 strategies is included. (Author/RC)

Reports on an evaluation of the self-directed English study program for adults of C.R.A.P.E.L. (France). The evaluation is based on an analysis of 15 recorded interviews covering 20 hours of conversation between individual students and program counselors. Only students' comments on their progress, their problems, and learning strategies are…

A study to test the hypothesis that self-instructional programs in nutrition and dentistry are as effective a teaching method as traditional lectures is discussed. The results of the analysis demonstrated that there was no significant difference in the test scores in the lecture and self-instruction groups. (Author/MLW)

This paper examines the world-wide phenomenon of distance education in terms of student characteristics, course creation, two-way communication methods, and some theoretical approaches. (Author/SJL)

A method of study which is inefficient but used by large numbers of students taking courses in mathematics is described. The wide relevance of the problem, for subjects other than mathematics, is also examined. (MP)

Described is the Independent Learning Project for Advanced Chemistry (ILPAC) as it is utilized in Hydeburn, a tribe school in London. The teacher describes how she uses the program with her upper and lower A-level chemistry groups. As a result of this program, pupils seem more articulate in educational discussions. (Author/DS)

Described is independent study research at Garden City High School (Garden City, NY) involving ten students studying seasonal beach erosion, salt marsh preservation, sludge leachate hazards in bays, and sewer outfall effects on barrier bays. Outcomes include better understanding of the scientific process and careful, accurate research. (Author/DS)