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Self-Directed Learning

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Global Medical Education in Normal and Challenging Times

Part of the book series: Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation ((ASTI))

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Abstract

Self-directed learning (SDL) has a rich heritage in practically all countries, with tales of leaders having self-taught themselves to achieving great heights. With the changing times, globalization, and knowledge explosion, it is becoming increasingly necessary for learners to self-learn and for teachers to facilitate this. Therefore, the time has come for us to explore the conceptualizations behind SDL. Further, the terms ‘self-learning’, ‘self-directed learning’, and ‘self-regulated learning’ (SRL) are often used interchangeably. The purpose of this chapter is to help the readers to develop insight into the topic and to familiarize them with the use of SDL. This will help the readers to use SDL in a judicious manner. The first part of the chapter will be devoted to building a knowledge platform while the latter part will be focused on the implementation of SDL. Thus, in the first part of the chapter, we will clarify the terminology differentiating other types of learning and myths about SDL. While building up a theoretical base, we shall elaborate upon the factors that have contributed to the development of SDL as an educational approach, reasons for various definitions of SDL, different models of SDL, the need for a conceptual framework and select a definition that will be more explicit and oriented towards implementation after having mulled over the importance of SDL in the health professions education and the barriers encountered. The latter part of the chapter will be devoted to the implementation of SDL in a medical school. The role played by culture in the implementation of SDL, the stages of learning from dependent to independent, and key elements of SDL giving examples of various T-L methods that can be adopted shall be elaborated. For an SDL programme to become successful, both, students and teachers need to have certain skills. The attributes to analyse the different types of learning needs, readiness for self-directed learning, and correlation with personal learning plans shall be deliberated. Contrary to some notions about SDL, teachers could hone their skills by the use of determinants of learning (PEEK), learning styles (VARK), and the learning cycle to help the students towards SDL. The role of the teacher will change depending on the stage of the learner. Finally, in the propagation of this concept, as is the case in any teaching–learning process, the use of feedback and reflective inquiry to aid SDL as an avenue towards deep learning shall be discussed briefly. This shall be adequately fortified by a section on different approaches to assessment and evaluation of SDL that can help the learner and teacher to check his/her development.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the help rendered by Dr. Kripa Murzello, Dr. Radhika Mhatre, and Dr. Shiraz Rizvi in formatting the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Seth G S Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India

    Avinash Supe & Nirmala Rege

  2. Era University, Era’s Lucknow Medical College, Lucknow, India

    Sucheta Dandekar

  3. Era’s Lucknow Medical College, Lucknow, India

    Nirmala Rege

  4. Era University, Lucknow, India

    Farzana Mahdi

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  1. Avinash Supe
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  2. Sucheta Dandekar
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  3. Nirmala Rege
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  4. Farzana Mahdi
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Correspondence to Avinash Supe .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. NHS-UK & Al -Sadiq International Virtual University, London, UK

    Shabih H. Zaidi

  2. Associate Dean Academic at American University of Barbados, [AUB] School of Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Shahid Hassan

  3. Simon Fraser University (SFU) Alumni (Canada) AFAMEE (UK), Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Shoaleh Bigdeli

  4. Department for Educational Development, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan

    Tabassum Zehra

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Supe, A., Dandekar, S., Rege, N., Mahdi, F. (2024). Self-Directed Learning. In: Zaidi, S.H., Hassan, S., Bigdeli, S., Zehra, T. (eds) Global Medical Education in Normal and Challenging Times. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-51244-5_9

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