Independent learning: Student perceptions and experiences
Liz Thomas Associates (LTA) and the National Union of Students (NUS) have been awarded a research contract by the Higher Education Academy (HEA) to explore the perspectives and experiences of students in relation to independent learning in higher education. This new study builds on the research on directed independent learning previously undertaken by Liz Thomas Associates for the HEA and QAA (to be published at the end of February).
Aims of the study
The aims of the research are two-fold:
a) To explore students’
conceptions and experiences of directed independent learning, including
how they were made aware of its role in higher education, how they were
prepared for it within the context of their discipline, and how they
have approached it; and
b) To disseminate the findings in order to
assist disciplines in developing or reinforcing effective practice.
Research questions
In pursuit of these aims, the project will explore the following
research questions:
1) How do HE students understand, approach
and experience directed independent learning in the context of their
disciplines?
2) How are HE students introduced to and prepared for
different forms of independent learning in the disciplines?
3) What
do students consider to be effective directed independent learning
practice?
4) What examples of effective disciplinary practices do
they identify?
5) What aspects of directed independent learning do
students find most challenging and why?
6) What do students feel
would help them become more effective independent learners in their
disciplines?
7) In what ways can the findings from this study inform
the development and use of directed independent learning in the
disciplines?
8) What forms of communicating and disseminating these
findings will develop and reinforce effective practice in directed
independent learning?
Research design and methodology
We have designed a mixed methods, in-depth qualitative study, which
involves students as partners at each stage of the research (design,
implementation and analysis). It is intended to provide genuine insights
into students’ perspectives and experiences of independent learning, and
inform practice across the higher education sector. Key features of our
methodology include:
• A review of academic literature in
relation to student and disciplinary perspectives on independent
learning and in particular, directed independent learning.
•
Qualitative diaries from 100 students across the four disciplinary areas
namely Hard/Pure; Soft/Pure; Hard/Applied; and Soft/Applied.
•
Recruitment, training and support of 16 peer researchers from
participating higher education institutions to conduct interviews with
their peers.
• Follow-up interviews with approximately 80 students
who have completed diaries, to tease out how expectations of learning in
higher education were shaped and informed, and how these compared with
their experiences at different levels in higher education, and learning
from their experiences.
• Facebook Group to provide wider engagement
with the issue of students’ experiences of independent learning.
•
Participatory workshops for students to explore the interpretation of
the research findings, and how independent learning can be better
communicated to students to enhance their preparation for and experience
of independent learning.
• Participatory workshops for academic staff
to consider how the findings can be used to develop or reinforce
practice and how they can be most effectively disseminated.
Outputs
The main output will be a research report, delivered summer 2015.
Further information
For further information please email liz@lizthomasassociates.co.uk
Student experiences of independent learning
Information for students
We're conducting a UK-wide research study in partnership with
the NUS on independent learning in higher education. The study will be
looking at what students such as you think about all of the learning
that you do when you're not in lectures, seminars or classes: when
you're working on course-work, doing assignments, reading in the
library, and all of those other things you do in your course when you're
not being directly taught by someone. Finding out what people like you
think about this will help improve students' experience of higher
education.
We are very keen to hear about your views and
experiences. And if you take part we will give you a payment of £30 in
total to show our appreciation.Before you can begin - and receive your
first payment - you need to complete the on-line registration formhttp://www.quiddity-research.com/surveys/index.php/974192/lang-en
. It's easy to do and should only take a few minutes.
More
information about the project is
available here and you can watch a short video about the project
here http://youtu.be/r8HZPWvjoUE.
A sample diary can be viewed here.
Thank you very much: we really hope you'll agree to get involved in this study.