A Preliminary Investigation of Self-Directed Learning Activities in a Non-Formal Blended Learning Environment
PROCEEDINGS
Richard A. Schwier, Dirk Morrison, Ben K Daniel
American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting,
Abstract
This research considers how professional participants in a non-formal self-directed learning environment (NFSDL) made use of self-directed learning activities in a blended face-to-face and on line learning professional development course. The learning environment for the study was a professional development seminar on teaching in higher education that was offered to ten novice professors over the course of one academic year in a western Canadian research-intensive university. Autonomous activities were compared to on line and face-to-face social networking activities, and the effect of structure on the amount and type of self-directed engagement will be examined. We consider whether there is a need to adapt basic theory on formal virtual learning communities to understand self-directed learning and pedagogical practices in non-formal on line learning environments. (Contains 6 tables.)
Citation
Schwier, R.A., Morrison, D. & Daniel, B.K. (2009). A Preliminary Investigation of Self-Directed Learning Activities in a Non-Formal Blended Learning Environment. Presented at American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting 2009. Retrieved March 19, 2024 from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/54729/.
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Keywords
- blended learning
- distance education
- EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
- educational technology
- electronic learning
- higher education
- Independent Study
- Learning Activities
- models
- online courses
- professional development
- reflection
- social networks
- Synchronous Communication
- teaching methods
- Teaching Styles
- Virtual Classrooms