Readiness For Self Directed Learning Among First Semester Students Of A Medical School In Nepal
20-23
Correspondence
Mr. Sudesh Gyawali
Department of Pharmacology
Manipal College of Medical Sciences (MCOMS)
P.O. Box: 155
Deepheight, Pokhara, Nepal
E-mail: sudeshgy@hotmail.com
Phone: 00977-9848032051, 00977-61-440260 (Fax)
Background: Self directed learning (SDL), a central theme in adult education, is considered to be associated with the management of lifelong learning for better outcomes. Certain learning situations help to strengthen SDL. Medical science changes rapidly and there is an information explosion; so, it is important to train doctors for SDL.
Aims: The aim of this study was to measure the readiness for SDL of students at the beginning of the undergraduate medical course.
Methods: The readiness for SDL was measured among 121 first year undergraduate medical students at Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, by using the Self-directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS), an instrument developed by Australian researchers.
Results: The observed mean score was 157.8 (range 103 – 190). According to Fisher and coworkers, the developers of the scale total scores greater than 150 indicate readiness for SDL. Most of the students (72.7%) scored more than 150 and so, they could be considered as ready for self directed learning. The mean scores were not significantly different among the male and female students as well as among the self-financing and the scholarship students.
Conclusions: Most of the first semester students had a high degree of readiness for self directed learning. Studies correlating the SDL score and the students’ academic performance are lacking and so, the scores of the students could not be used to predict their success in the forthcoming exams. Therefore, more research is required in this field. Similar studies can be done in other medical schools.