Independence studies in Nursing Education

1. Independence studies in Nursing Education First lecture NUR 420

2. OBJECTIVES • By the end of lecture, the student will be able to: • Identify independent study • Define major concepts in self-directed learning • Discuss various stages of SDL • List the essential elements of SDL • Identify benefit of independent learning • list successful Independent learn characteristics • Compare and contrast type of learning contract

3. Independence studies in Nursing Education Definition of independent study Independent study is an alternative instructional strategy that offers the flexibility to meet individual student needs, interests, and styles of learning. It enables students to most fully realize their potential. Students are encouraged to systematically identify, plan, execute and evaluate a learning project that is relevant to nursing practice. Independent study is self-directed learning (SDL )

4. Independence studies in Nursing Education About Self-Directed Learning Self-Directed Learning (SDL) is any increase in knowledge, skill or performance pursued by any individual for personal reasons employing any means, in any place at any time at any age. Moving from Teacher-Directed Learning to Self-Directed Learning

5. CONT. The SDL (Self-Directed Learning) Spectrum The spectrum refers to degrees of SDL ranging from entirely teacher-directed learning (TDL) to SDL. includes the following stages of movement toward SDL: 1-Incidental Self-Directed Learning. The occasional introduction of SDL activities into courses or programs that are otherwise teacher-directed

6. CONT. The SDL Spectrum 2-Teaching Students to Think Independently. Courses or programs that emphasize the personal pursuit of meaning through exploration, inquiry, problem solving and creative activity (e.g. debates, case studies, investigations, trials, dramatizations, fieldwork).

7. CONT. 3-Self-Managed Learning. Courses or programs presented through learning guides that students complete independently. 4. Self-Planned Learning. Courses or programs in which students pursue course outcomes through activities they design themselves. 5. Self-Directed Learning. Courses or programs in which students choose the outcomes, design their own activities and pursue them in their own way.

8. The Essential Elements of SDL 1-The first element is student control over as much of the learning experience as possible • Charging students with the task of developing their own learning, turns them to their own resources, which develops their emerging individuality and helps them to rehearse more adult roles.

9. The Essential Elements of SDL • 2-The second element of SDL is skill development. Inner control is aimless unless students learn to focus and apply their talents and energies intensely. -For this reason the emphasis in SDL is on the development of skills and processes that lead to productive activity. -Students learn to achieve course outcomes, to think independently and to plan and execute their own activities

10. The Essential Elements of SDL • 3-The third element is students learning to challenge themselves to their best possible performance. - Challenge involves reaching for a new level of performance in a familiar field or launching an adventure into a new field of interest. It means setting the standard of achievement a step higher than one can readily achieve.

11. The Essential Elements of SDL • 4. The fourth element is student self-management, management of themselves and of their learning enterprises. - Students develop the following attributes. a. They become skilled in managing their time b. They manage their effort and the resources c. They learn to face obstacles and difficulties d. They develop confidence, courage

12. The Essential Elements of SDL 5-The fifth element is that students motivate and assess their own efforts. -Since the responsibility for proving that they have achieved their goals lies with students, they gather their proofs and/or products in a portfolio, which becomes the focus of evaluation. -Just as self-motivation energizes students to produce the achievements that are evaluated, self-assessment motivates students to seek the best possible achievement.

13. Independence studies in Nursing Education • In nursing, Independent study course is designed to allow an in-depth exploration of the literature regarding a nursing or health care topic that is related to the student's research interests. Under the guidance of a faculty member, the student will conduct a critical evaluation of the extensive literature in a given topic area. Nursing builds on knowledge and content drawn from many disciplines and the topic areas that can be explored are varied

14. Independence studies in Nursing Education Benefit of independent learning: • It will enable students to feel in control of their academic studies, hence reducing stress, increasing wellbeing, and leading to improved academic performance. • It will enhance student organization and the ability to set tangible goals. • It will increase student motivation and confidence.

15. Independence studies in Nursing Education • Benefit of independent learning: • It will enable teachers to provide differentiated tasks. • It will develop resilience for academic purposes and beyond. • improved academic performance • greater student awareness of their limitations and their ability to manage them. • enabling teachers to provide differentiated tasks for students.

16. Independence studies in Nursing Education successful Independent learner characteristics: • Independent learners have a positive relationship with their teachers and tutors and ask for help and guidance when needed • Independent learners have developed a robust set of digital skills to enable them to use technology and navigate the Internet in a discerning and critical manner. • Independent learners focus less on poor revision techniques such as the storage of information (re-reading/highlighting) and more on the generation of questions and answers themselves through self-quizzing/regular low stakes testing

17. Independence studies in Nursing Education successful Independent learner characteristics • Independent learners are able to evaluate exemplar material from their peers or from the exam board to reflect and improve on their own work. • Independent learners have a sense of agency over their future. They have strong self-regulation and metacognitive skills and are deeply reflective about their individual strengths and weaknesses. • Independent learners have an intellectual curiosity bolstered by a wide range of extra-curricular activities.

18. Independence studies in Nursing Education • successful Independent learner characteristics • Independent learners have a well-developed capacity for intrinsic questioning as opposed to extrinsic questioning. • Independent learners are empowered, unstressed, and in control have curiosity, passion, inspiration, discernment, self-motivation, self-examination, accountability, critical thinking and persistence.

19. Guidelines for Individual Learners • Students may carry out independent studies or projects related to the theory or practice of • nursing, under the direction of a faculty facilitator. Students are encouraged to • systematically identify, plan, execute and evaluate a learning project that is relevant to • nursing practice.

20. learning contract • There is a need to complete a learning contract using the following guidelines. • Fully Structured Guidelines: The student must follow the steps as outlined: 1-Students meet with their faculty advisor to discuss the merits of individual study for this particular student and review potential faculty mentors for content area. 2-Select a faculty member to be a course mentor, preferably someone who is a content specialist in the student’s chosen area of study.

21. CON.. 3-With the completion of a learning plan with a faculty mentor, the student will develop goals, objectives, and evaluation requirements for the course. • 4. If a clinical placement is desired: have an identified resource person in the clinical area that can assist with evaluation. • 5.The student will contact the Associate Director, Student Affairs for registration approval.

22. learning contract B. Semi-Structured Guidelines: These are required, but the method by which they are fulfilled is the responsibility of the student . • A contract is required and must be signed by the student and the faculty course mentor. • It is expected that students will be familiar with principles of Adult Learning and Self-Directed Learning.

23. learning contract C. Unstructured Guidelines The student may make decisions independently about the following: 1. Choices re: topic and clinical placement (if desired, and where possible). 2. Choices of faculty course mentor, although this must be mutually agreed upon. 3. Choice of resource person for clinical placement (if desired, and where possible).

24. cont. • 4. Type and variety of human and material resources needed during the project. • 5. Duration of the project within the term, and number of clinical hours required. • 6. How fulfillment of the contract is demonstated.

25. Learning contract • OBJECTIVES & PROCESS: • The Student will: • • Design a working contract: • identify learning needs • formulate objectives that address learning needs • develop activities that meet the objectives • • Help to organize, with faculty course mentor, their own clinical experiences, if • Desired.

26. Learning contract • Follow the established objectives and complete tasks as outlined. • Negotiate evaluation methods and grade distribution. • Negotiate methods of self evaluation with the faculty course mentor. • Apply concepts from nursing courses taken to date and include cultural. • considerations, community and health care needs of today’s population