Self-Directed Learning

This book on self-directed learning (SDL) is devoted to original academic scholarship within the field of education, and is the 6th volume in the North-West University (NWU) SDL book series. In this book the authors explore how self-directed learning can be considered an imperative for education in a complex modern society. Although each chapter represents independent research in the field of self-directed learning, the chapters form a coherent contribution concerning the scholarship of self-directed learning, and specifically the effect of environmental and praxis contexts on the enhancement of self-directed learning in a complex society. The publication as a whole provides diverse perspectives on the importance of self-directed learning in varied contexts. Scholars working in a wide range of fields are drawn together in this scholarly work to present a comprehensive dialogue regarding self-directed learning and how this concept functions in a complex and dynamic higher education context. This book presents a combination of theory and practice, which reflects selected conceptual dimensions of self-directed learning in society, as well as research-based findings pertaining to current topical issues relating to implementing self-directed learning in the modern world. The varied methodologies provide the reader with different and balanced perspectives, as well as varied and innovative ideas on how to conduct research in the field of self-directed learning

Self-Directed Learning

This book on self-directed learning (SDL) is devoted to original academic scholarship within the field of education, and is the 6th volume in the North-West University (NWU) SDL book series. In this book the authors explore how self-directed learning can be considered an imperative for education in a complex modern society. Although each chapter represents independent research in the field of self-directed learning, the chapters form a coherent contribution concerning the scholarship of self-directed learning, and specifically the effect of environmental and praxis contexts on the enhancement of self-directed learning in a complex society. The publication as a whole provides diverse perspectives on the importance of self-directed learning in varied contexts. Scholars working in a wide range of fields are drawn together in this scholarly work to present a comprehensive dialogue regarding self-directed learning and how this concept functions in a complex and dynamic higher education context. This book presents a combination of theory and practice, which reflects selected conceptual dimensions of self-directed learning in society, as well as research-based findings pertaining to current topical issues relating to implementing self-directed learning in the modern world. The varied methodologies provide the reader with different and balanced perspectives, as well as varied and innovative ideas on how to conduct research in the field of self-directed learning

Assessment for Experiential Learning

Chan’s book explores the challenges in assessing experiential learning, deepens our understanding, and inspires readers to think critically about the purpose of assessment in experiential learning. Experiential learning has been studied and proven to be effective for student learning, particularly for the development of holistic competencies (i.e. 21st century skills, soft skills, transferable skills) considered essential for individuals to succeed in the increasingly global and technology-infused 21st century society. Universities around the world are now actively organising experiential learning activities or programmes for students to gain enriching and diversified learning experiences, however the assessment of these programmes tends to be limited, unclear, and contested. Assessment plays a central role in education policies and students’ approach to learning. But do educators know how to assess less traditional learning such as service learning, entrepreneurship, cross-discipline or cross-cultural projects, internships and student exchanges? While the current assessment landscape is replete with assessments that measure knowledge of core content areas such as mathematics, law, languages, science and social studies, there is a lack of assessments and research that focus on holistic competencies. How do we assess students’ ability to think critically, problem solve, adapt, self-manage and collaborate? Central to the discussion in this book, is the reason students are assessed and how they should be assessed to bring out their best learning outcomes.　Offering a collection of best assessment practice employed by teachers around the world, this volume brings together both theoretical and empirical research that underpins assessment; and perceptions of different stakeholders – understanding of assessment in experiential learning from students, teachers, and policymakers. The idea of assessment literacy also plays an important role in experiential learning, for example, reflection is often used in assessing students in experiential learning but how reflection literate are educators, are they aware of the ethical dilemmas that arise in assessing students? These questions are discussed in detail. The volume also introduces a quality assurance programme to recognise student development within experiential learning programmes. The book will be particularly informative to academic developers, teachers, students and community partners who struggle with the development and assessment for experiential learning, those who plan to apply for funding in experiential learning, and policymakers and senior managements seeking evidence and advice on fine-tuning curricular, assessment designs and quality assurance

How does learning agility affect a sales workforce in an IT multinational?

This research examines the effects of learning agility on a sales workforce’s performance within an Information Technology multinational. The investigation also considers the influence learning consumption and of organisational climate, rooted in psychological safety, as a moderator of learning agility. The research was conducted in multiple sites across the globe of a Fortune 100 listed organisation, posting revenues in excess of $90 billion and employing approximately 157,000 people globally. The study uses a single case study organisation, Technologyco, to test the research question using an employee survey (n = 165) to measure learning agility, psychological safe climate and personality. Secondary research data is obtained in the form of participants’ yearlong sales performance, along with learning consumption data. Both data sources were linked to produce a comprehensive data source for analysis and recommendations for the organisation’s sales workforce. The study finds an inconclusive relationship between learning agility and performance. The study finds evidence of a positive association with the Big Five personality trait of openness to experience, including an interaction effect. Additionally, learning agility is found to be associated with the Big Five personality traits of conscientiousness and neuroticism. Finally, although no relationship is seen between learning consumption and learning agility, a positive relationship is seen between learning agility and psychological safe climate. The study, firstly, contributes to theory by furthering the understanding of the conceptualisation of the learning agility framework within a broader nomological network of related constructs. Secondly, conceptual boundaries and causal relationships in the form of individual level antecedents (i.e. openness to experience), contextual and environmental factors (i.e. psychological safe climate and learning consumption) within the learning agility framework are advanced and discussed. Thirdly, several new findings which contribute to the field are presented through empirical evidence including the influence of associated variables (individual-level antecedents and contextual factors) on learning agility in relation to longitudinal performance. Exploratory analyses are used to better understand the data and the organisational context in which the results occurred. Finally, directions for future research are discussed along with the practical implications of this study for consideration

Assessment for Experiential Learning

Chan’s book explores the challenges in assessing experiential learning, deepens our understanding, and inspires readers to think critically about the purpose of assessment in experiential learning. Experiential learning has been studied and proven to be effective for student learning, particularly for the development of holistic competencies (i.e. 21st century skills, soft skills, transferable skills) considered essential for individuals to succeed in the increasingly global and technology-infused 21st century society. Universities around the world are now actively organising experiential learning activities or programmes for students to gain enriching and diversified learning experiences, however the assessment of these programmes tends to be limited, unclear, and contested. Assessment plays a central role in education policies and students’ approach to learning. But do educators know how to assess less traditional learning such as service learning, entrepreneurship, cross-discipline or cross-cultural projects, internships and student exchanges? While the current assessment landscape is replete with assessments that measure knowledge of core content areas such as mathematics, law, languages, science and social studies, there is a lack of assessments and research that focus on holistic competencies. How do we assess students’ ability to think critically, problem solve, adapt, self-manage and collaborate? Central to the discussion in this book, is the reason students are assessed and how they should be assessed to bring out their best learning outcomes.　Offering a collection of best assessment practice employed by teachers around the world, this volume brings together both theoretical and empirical research that underpins assessment; and perceptions of different stakeholders – understanding of assessment in experiential learning from students, teachers, and policymakers. The idea of assessment literacy also plays an important role in experiential learning, for example, reflection is often used in assessing students in experiential learning but how reflection literate are educators, are they aware of the ethical dilemmas that arise in assessing students? These questions are discussed in detail. The volume also introduces a quality assurance programme to recognise student development within experiential learning programmes. The book will be particularly informative to academic developers, teachers, students and community partners who struggle with the development and assessment for experiential learning, those who plan to apply for funding in experiential learning, and policymakers and senior managements seeking evidence and advice on fine-tuning curricular, assessment designs and quality assurance

Error correction through corpus consultation in EAP writing: an analysis of corpus use in a pre-sessional context

This study investigates the effect of corpus consultation on the accuracy of learner written error revisions. It examines the conditions which cause a learner to consult the corpus in correcting errors and whether these revisions are more effective than those made using other corrections methods. Claims have been made for the potential usefulness of corpora in encouraging a better understanding of language through inductive learning (Johns, 1991; Benson, 2001; Watson Todd, 2003). The opportunity for learners to interact with the authentic language used to compile corpora has also been cited as a possible benefit (Thurstun and Candlin, 1998). However, theoretical advantages of using corpus data have not always translated into actual benefits in real learning contexts. Learners frequently encounter difficulties in dealing with the volume of information available to them in concordances and can reject corpus use because it adds to their learning load (Yoon and Hirvela, 2004; Frankenberg Garcia, 2005; Lee and Swales, 2006). This has meant that practical employment of corpus data has sometimes been difficult to implement. In this experiment, learners on a six week pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course were shown how to use the BYU (Brigham Young University) website to access the BNC (British National Corpus) to address written errors. Through a draft/feedback/revision process using meta-linguistic error coding, the frequency, context and effectiveness of the corpus being used as a reference tool was measured. Use of the corpus was found to be limited to a small range of error types which largely involved queries of a pragmatic nature. In these contexts, the corpus was found to be a potentially more effective correction tool than dictionary reference or recourse to previous knowledge and it may have a beneficial effect in encouraging top-down processing skills. However, its frequency of use over the course was low and accounted for only a small proportion of accurate error revisions as a whole. Learner response to the corpus corroborated the negative perception already noted in previous studies. These findings prompt recommendations for further investigation into effective mediation of corpus data within the classroom and continued technological developments in order to make corpus data more accessible to non-specialists

Santé psychologique et habitudes de vie chez les étudiants universitaires : le rôle des besoins psychologiques fondamentaux

La détresse psychologique et l'adoption d'habitudes de vie malsaines sont très fréquentes chez les étudiants universitaires de premier cycle. Plusieurs études longitudinales démontrent que la fréquence et l'intensité de ces deux phénomènes augmentent significativement durant les premiers mois à l'université et restent élevées par la suite. En dépit de ces observations, les études dans ce domaine portent généralement sur les déterminants propres à l'un ou l'autre de ces deux phénomènes et ne reposent sur aucun cadre théorique. Ces lacunes limitent fortement l'avancée des connaissances et l'élaboration d'interventions basées sur des données probantes. S'appuyant sur la théorie de l'autodétermination et sur le modèle des ressources limitées, cette thèse a pour objectif général d'approfondir les connaissances sur les déterminants de la santé psychologique et des habitudes de vie chez les étudiants universitaires. Pour atteindre cet objectif, cette thèse est composée de deux articles. Le premier article vise à développer et à valider le Questionnaire de Soutien et de Menace aux Besoins Psychologiques à l'Université qui mesure les perceptions des étudiants quant aux pratiques de soutien et de menace aux besoins psychologiques émises par leurs professeurs, leurs pairs-étudiants et relatives à leur programme d'études. Les résultats de deux études distinctes (N = 1855 et N = 1797) soutiennent les qualités psychométriques de ce questionnaire. Le deuxième article (N = 2450) vise à élaborer un modèle conceptuel de la détresse psychologique et des habitudes de vie et à le valider via une combinaison des approches centrée sur les personnes et sur les variables. Ce modèle propose qu'un environnement universitaire qui soutient les besoins psychologiques d'autonomie, de compétence et d'appartenance sociale des étudiants favorisera leurs capacités de maîtrise de soi, ce qui réduira les risques de détresse psychologique et d'habitudes de vie malsaines. Dans l'ensemble, les résultats de cet article convergent et soutiennent le modèle proposé. Il semble en effet que les besoins psychologiques et les capacités de maîtrise de soi des étudiants sont des mécanismes sous-jacents aux associations entre l'environnement universitaire et les niveaux de détresse psychologique et les habitudes de vie chez cette population. Les implications théoriques, méthodologiques et pratiques de la thèse sont abordées et des propositions de pistes de recherches futures sont présentées.Psychological distress and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors are very common among undergraduate students. Several longitudinal studies show that the frequency and intensity of these two phenomena increase significantly during the first months at university and remain high thereafter. Despite these observations, studies in this field generally focus on the determinants of either one of these phenomena without any theoretical considerations. This strongly limits the advancement of knowledge and the development of evidence-based interventions. Based on self-determination theory and the strength model of self-control, the purpose of this dissertation was to deepen our understanding of the determinants of university students' psychological distress and health behaviors. To do so, it relied on two articles. The first article aims to develop and validate the College Need Support/Thwarting Questionnaire which assesses students' perceptions of need supportive and thwarting practices emitted by their professors, their peers, and relative to their study program. The results of two separate studies (N = 1855 and N = 1797) support the psychometric properties of this questionnaire. The second article (N = 2450) aims to develop a conceptual model of psychological distress and health behaviors and validate it through a combination of person-centered and variable-centered approaches. This model proposes that a social and educational climate that supports students' psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness will facilitate their self-control abilities, which in turn will reduce the risk of psychological distress and unhealthy lifestyle behaviors. Overall, the results from both approaches converge and support the proposed model. Indeed, it appears that students' psychological needs and self-control abilities represent mechanisms underlying the associations between the social and educational climate at university and students' psychological distress and health behaviors. The theoretical, methodological, and practical implications of this dissertation are discussed and directions for further research are presented

Sentence combining and thinking : a study of adult ESL learners

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Brock University, 2003.Brock University. Faculty of Education. ThesisThis paper begins by outlining the development of the thesis question from the classroom concerns of a teacher and the broad theoretical questions ofa graduate student to the preliminary selection of method. Sentence combining is chosen to represent the writing process in a form suitable for introspective study through think-alound activities