A self-help approach used to enhance medical students' self-directed learning (SDL) skills in an elective course resulted in increased student feelings of self-efficacy, and the self-ratings had significant relationships to measures of deep approach to study. Academic achievement was higher for this group than for controls. Some conditions…

Provides an overview of the PROLIB and EDULIB projects, which involved the development and delivery of distance learning courses in the Slovak language to library and information professionals in the Slovak Republic. Explains the combination of face-to-face lecture sessions, group discussions, self-study workbooks, and computer-mediated Internet…

Discusses electronic learning and what makes it different from learning in traditional classrooms. Topics include information architecture; user interface design; the importance of focusing on content; constructivism; self-directed learning; learning motivation; reflective approach; learning styles; and experiential learning. (LRW)

A peer-tutoring project in undergraduate mathematics at a university in the United Kingdom was designed both to provide support for independent learning tasks and for group projects. A survey of students found that while most liked and felt they benefited from the group experience, most also did not like the independent learning tasks. (Author/MSE)

Describes the development, purpose, and content of an independent-study course developed by academic librarians from ten colleges and universities in Utah and taught via the World Wide Web. "Internet Navigator" emphasizes information literacy rather than Internet mechanics. Discusses student and faculty responses, collaboration, and…

This study found six students (ages 5-7) with multiple disabilities correctly used a choice card to set goals, assign worksheets, complete work, and evaluate results more frequently during independent work sessions that followed a student choice condition than in independent work sessions that followed a teacher choice condition. (Contains 8…

Tested efficacy of self-instruction intervention to reduce avoidable risks for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection associated with drug use and unsafe sexual activity among African-American and Hispanic adolescents (N=60). Outcome findings indicated that participants in two self-instruction conditions improved more between pretest and…

Two studies were conducted to examine the effectiveness of using study guides with learning-disabled, remedial, and regular education students enrolled in secondary social studies and science classes. Results indicated that study guides, whether teacher-directed or student-directed, produced significantly higher performance than self-study.…

Examines the structure, validity, and reliability of Guglielmino's self-directed learning readiness scale. Reviews related literature and refutes Guglielmino's thesis. Reports data derived from an administration of the scale that reveal problems in wording and show that the scale measures a homogeneous construct not associated with readiness for…

Discusses components that guide a teacher in creating a meaningful writing workshop for first graders: developing a trust in and commitment to writing opportunities, encouraging a five-step process of writing, organizing writing materials, providing a predictable routine, and working individually with each child. Emphasizes the importance of…

Describes the self-reported strategies of 30 adults who were independent language learners for a period of 6 months and kept diaries of their language learning experiences. High achievers showed significantly more instances of communication-making and context-making activities, treating language as a medium of communication rather than as a…

A study investigated the independent study and research skills of Year 11 secondary students (n=460) and the research and study skills instruction by teachers (n=54) in the Australian studies component of the Victoria Certificate of Education (VCE) curriculum. Results found many students not competent in using resources independently and few…

Presents a simple technique to encourage independent student work in all subjects and grade levels. A plastic file box is kept for each subject and contains information needed to complete assignments, such as multiplication tables, maps, alphabets, and lists of parts of speech. Notes that using resources to complete assignments independently…

A study contrasted the long-term (one year) retention of material acquired primarily through lectures and assigned independent study readings. Subjects were 16 female 3rd-year medical students. Results indicate the study methods did not differ consistently in knowledge loss or class performance, despite substantial individual differences.…

Drawing primarily from theory and research in the cognitive literature on learning, this paper defines and illustrates the various components of task knowledge and attempts to show the functional relationship between task knowledge and autonomous learning. An approach to learner training that is (task) knowledge based is discussed. (54 references)…