An Investigation of Self-Directed Learning Skills among the Iranian Agricultural Students (Case of Agricultural College, Tarbiat Modares University)

Authors
M. Taqipour 1
E. Abbasi 1
A. Naeimi 2
S. Ganguly 3
N. Zamani 4
1 Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
2 Department of Extension, Communication and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, Zanjan University, Zanjan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
3 Policy and Management, Ramakrishna Mission Lokasiksha Parishad, Narendrapur, Kolkata, India.
4 Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran.
Abstract
The readiness for self-directed learning among the students and its role in improving life-long learning skills has been emphasized recently. The present descriptive study aimed at analyzing the self-directed learning skills possessed by the students of agriculture at Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran (N= 414). As far as methodological design is concerned, the study has utilized Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) table, and stratified random sampling technique, through which 201 students were selected as sample (n= 201). From this, 193 students filled and returned the research instrument (Return rate= 96%). A set of open ended questionnaires was developed, which was considered to be the main tool for the collection of required data. This prepared questionnaire was validated by a panel of experts of agricultural extension and education, subsequently; its reliability was also checked and confirmed by Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient (0.78-0.83). The results showed that the students could perceive the range of ‘moderate to high’ for all dimensions underlying self-directed learning skills. Based upon another part of results, the students with different educational levels, majors and grade point averages had different self-directed learning skills. It can be concluded that readiness for self-directed learning is a crucial factor for all students and should be taken into consideration in education planning with regard to each field. It is necessary to state that the educational system seeks to develop such skills to promote self-management, self-monitoring, and self-motivating as well as SDL skills among the students.

Keywords

1. Alibaygi, A. H., Barani, S., Karamidehkordi, E., Pouya, M. 2013. Employability Determinants of Senior Agricultural Students in Iran. J. Agri. Sci. Tech., 15: 673-683
2. Arasteh, H. and Mahmudi Rad, M. 2003. Effective Education Based on Students’ Self-evaluation. J. Semnan Univ. Medic. Sci., 5: 1-7.
3. Bolhuis, S. 2003. Towards Process-oriented Teaching for Self-directed Lifelong Learning: A Multidimensional Perspective. Learn. Instr., 13: 327-47.
4. Candy, P. C. 1991. Self-direction for Lifelong Learning: A Comprehensive Guide to Theory and Practice. Jossey-Bass Publishers, San Francisco.
5. Cheng, S. F., Kuo, C. L., Lin, K. C. and Lee-Hsieh, J. 2010. Development and Preliminary Testing of a Self-rating Instrument to Measure Self-directed Learning Ability of Nursing Students. Intl. J. Nurs. Stud., 47: 1152-8.
6. Cleary, M., Freeman, A. and Sharrock, L. 2005. The Development, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Clinical Leadership Program for Mental Health Nurses. Issues Ment. Health Nurs., 26: 827-42.
7. El-Gilany, A. H and Abusaad, FES. 2013. Self-directed Learning Readiness and Learning Styles among Saudi Undergraduate Nursing Students. Nurs. Educ. Today, 33: 1040-1044.
8. Fisher, M. and King, J. 2010. The Self-directed Learning Readiness Scale for Nursing Education Revisited: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Nurs. Educ. Today, 30: 44-8.
9. Hendricson, W. D., Andrieu, S. C., Chadwick, D. G., Chmar, J. E., Cole, J. R. and George, M. C. 2006. Educational Strategies Associated with Development of Problem-solving, Critical Thinking, and Self-directed Learning. J. Dent. Educ., 70: 925-36.
10. Khasawneh, S., Khasawneh, L., Haliat, S. and Jawarneh, M. 2007. University Students’ Readiness for the Nnational Workforce: A Study of Vocational Identity and Career Decision-making. MJES, 12: 27-42.
11. Kord Noghabi, R. 1999. The Relationship between Field Dependent and Independent Learning Styles in the Students and Their Parents’ Educational Method. Master’s Thesis, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran.
12. Krejcie, R. V. and Morgan, D. W. 1970. Determining Sample Size for Research Activities. Educ. Psychol. Meas., 30: 607-610.
13. Lestari, E. and Widjajakusumah, D. 2009. Students' Self-directed Learning Readiness, Perception toward Student-centered Learning and Predisposition towards Student- centered Behavior. South East Asian J. Med. Edu., 3: 52–56.
14. Long, H. B. 2000. Understanding Self-direction in Learning. In: “Practice and Theory Self-directed Learning”, (Ed.): Long, H. B... Motorola University Press, Schaumburg, PP. 11-24.
15. Loyens, S. M., Magda, J. and Rikers, R. M. 2008. Self-directed Learning in Problem-based Learning and its Relationships with Self-regulated Learning. Educ. Psychol. Rev., 20: 411-27.
16. Maung, M., Abas, Z. W. and Abdullah, A. 2007. Factors Influencing Development of Self-directed Learning in Higher Education Environment. Int. J. Self-directed Lear., 4: 27-38.
17. Medical School Objectives Writing Group. 1999. Learning Objectives for Medical Student Education-guidelines for Medical Schools: Report I of the Medical School Objectives Project. Academic Medicine, 74: 13-8.
18. Murray, L. and Lawrence, B. 2000. Practitioner-based Enquiry: Principles for Postgraduate Research. Falmer Press, London.
19. Nadi M. A., Yousefi , A. R. and Changiz, T. 2011. The Conception of Self-directed Leaning in Students of Medicine and Dentistry and its Relationship with Personal Characteristics. Steps in Developing Education of Medicine, 8: 173-181.
20. Nadi, M. A. and Sajjadian, A. 2011. Reliability of Self-directed Learning for Students of Medicine and Dentistry. Edu. Medical Sci., 11: 174-183.
21. Namdar, R. and Pezeshki Rad, Gh. (2010). Iranian Students’ Attitudes toward International Agricultural Issues: A Case Study of Agricultural Extension and Education Students. J. Agri. Sci. Tech., 12: 559-567
22. Petrides, L. A. 2002. Web-based Technologies for Distributed (or Distance) Learning: Creating Learning-centered Educational Experiences in the Higher Education Classroom. Int. J. Instr. Media, 29: 69-77.
23. Pezeshki Rad, Gh., Golshiri Esfahani, Z., and Chizari, M. (2009). Learner Satisfaction with Pomegranate Production Extension-education Courses in Yazd Province, Iran J. Agri. Sci. Tech., 11: 49-55.
24. Poorsafar, A., Nemati, M. and Falah, S. 2004. An Introduction to EExperiential Learning Theory: Views and Applications. Iranian J. Medical Edu., 7: 19-26.
25. Prabjandee, D. and Inthachot, M. 2013. Self-directed Learning Readiness of College Students in Thailand. J. Edu. Research Innovation, 2: 1-11.
26. Reio, T. J. 2005. Age and Gender Differences in Self-directed Learning Readiness: A Developmental Perspective. Int. J. Self-directed Lear., 2: 40-9.
27. Roberson, D. N. 2005. Self-directed Learning: Past and Present. Information Analyses, Reports Research, Online summation, Available in:
http://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED490435
28. Safavi, M., Shooshtari, S. H., Mahmoodi, M. and Yarmohammadian, M. 2010. Self-directed Learning Readiness and Learning Styles among Nursing Students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Iranian J. Medical Edu., 10: 27-36.
29. Soltani A. S. K. and Naeimi, L. 2013. Assessment of the Current Situation of Self-directed Learning Skills in Medical Students. Razi J. Medical Sci., 20: 10-19.
30. Song, L. and Hill, J. R. 2007. A Conceptual Model for Understanding Self-directed Learning in Online Environments. Journal of Interactive Online Learning, 6: 27-42.
31. Williamson, S. N. 2007. Development of a Self-rating Scale of Self-directed Learning. Nurse Researcher, 14: 66-83.
Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology
Volume 18, Issue 1
January and February 2016
Pages 15-26