Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:925] self-directed learning
From: Brent Muirhead (bmuirhead@email.uophx.edu)
Date: Thu 18 Jan 2001 - 00:08:40 MET
From: "Brent Muirhead" <bmuirhead@email.uophx.edu> Subject: [IFETS-DISCUSSION:925] self-directed learning Date: Wed, 17 Jan 2001 18:08:40 -0500
Dr. Charles Adamson wrote that "I am not arguing against participation or
efforts to increase it. I am only saying that we should be sure that it is
necessary before trying to increase it. It could be possible that decreasing
student participation is simply an indication that the students are changing
to a more effective teaching."
Charles does raise an important point that the online teacher must always
strive to help students to develop learning habits that foster a healthy
academic independence. It is possible to have too much class structure that
restricts self-directed learning. In fact, as online instructor, I will hold
off posting comments to encourage reflective dialog within the class. A
teacher has to sometimes guard against being too proactive by constantly
posting comments before students have an opportunity to respond to their
colleagues. Also, teachers must design creative assignments that
intellectually challenge their students but does not overwhelm them.
I have observed that adult learners need to establish a study routine to
successfully manage their course work. It is interesting to observe that as
I encourage independent work that students struggle even more with problems
such as perfectionism and procrastination. The students will sometimes
complain about "open ended" written assignments because it forces them to
move out of their comfort zones. Yet, students learn to handle their fears
about term papers as they establish realistic writing goals. Ultimately,
students gain the confidence to take some academic risks with their ideas
and they take another step towards becoming a self-directed learner (Gobbo &
Shmulsky, 1999).
Reference
Gobbo, K. & Shumlsky, S. (1999). Helping students manage perfectionism and
procrastination. College Teaching, 47 (4), 148.
Brent Muirhead D.Min; Ph.D.
University of Phoenix Online
bmuirhead@email.uophx.edu
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