An experiment at a New England state college showed that undergraduates are ready and capable of participating in learning designs in which they take responsibility for the design as well as instruction. (EB)

A fourth grade teacher tells of her experience with a weekly class event called "free-time learning". (GB)

This speech discusses the concepts of the large group presentation, or the motivational experience; the small group discussion, or reaction discussions; and independent study, or continuous progress self directed learning. The discussion of these concepts is taken from the perspective of three years' participation by the author's school in a Model…

This report has two sections: an account of the meeting on autodidaxy, or self-directed learning; and a collection of studies and papers on the subject. The first part considers the following: (1) the conceptual domain of autodidaxy; (2) the constitutive elements of autodidaxy, and the plurality of definitions attached to it; (3) aspects of…

Description of student-run, problem-oriented work groups as an alternative teaching model that allows for fusion of the rigor of a structured course and the flexibility of independent study. (ND)

The results of a second year of experimentation in self-directed learning (SDL) of English for Special Purposes are presented. The experiment was carried out with a group of 13 intermediate level students at the "Ecole des Mines" in Nancy, France. Changes in the original strategy are described. In addition to communication exercises directed by a…

Considers cooperative reading and study groups and suggests activities designed to enhance individual learning and study skills for such groups. (NKA)

Fifty middle-grade students conducted science experiments either as members of small groups taught skills of self-directed critical thinking, or as members of a teacher-directed class, or as members of a control group. Experimental students scored highest on tests of relevant science content. The first group outperformed the others when…

This book describes the framework for an individualistic approach to learning--critical self-directed learning (SDL). A preface explains what is meant by "critical practice of SDL," describes educational streams that have fed into the concept, and situates the context within which the ideas about critical SDL developed. The order of the chapters…

A SERIES OF EXPERIMENTS HAVE BEEN CARRIED OUT OVER A PERIOD OF 3 YEARS TO FIND MEANS FOR DESCRIBING INQUIRY BEHAVIOR IN GRADE SCHOOL STUDENTS AND TO TEST THE EFFECT OF TEACHING METHODS AND ENVIRONMENT ON THIS BEHAVIOR. INQUIRY ACTIVITY WAS TESTED BY HAVING CHILDREN PLAY THE ROLE OF A SMALL CITY MAYOR USING SPECIALLY DEVELOPED MATERIALS. THREE…

Summaries of studies or experiments dealing with some aspect of independent study are compiled in this report. The papers include: (1) "The Future of Self-Directed Study," by Howard E. Gruber; (2) "Freshman Seminars at Harvard," by Eric W. Shaw; (3) "Independent Study in Honors Programs," by Philip I. Mitterling; (4)…

In developing a program for the professional development of supervisors, cooperating teachers, and student teachers, consideration was given to traditional observation methods. These methods focus upon observing: (1) the organization of independent study; (2) activities designed to enhance learning as it relates to goals of the classroom; (3)…