Motivating students towards self-directed learning

Abstract

This article examines what motivates students towards self-directed learning (SDL). The results discussed are taken from a larger study examining students’ perceptions of SDL, a concept that is increasingly evident in nurse education. The study focuses on the views of pre-registration students and their tutors. The study was conducted in two phases, firstly using focus groups, followed by a questionnaire to test the views of the focus group participants amongst a wider audience. A total of 12 students and 8 tutors took part in the focus groups, There were 97 student responses to the questionnaire and 18 tutor responses. The results indicated a wide range of motivational factors, with a good level of agreement between the two groups for most factors. The results also highlighted the importance of lectures in motivating students towards SDL. This link between teacher-led activities and the development of independent learners is not readily acknowledged in literature on adult learning. The study also indicated that students need specific guidance and feedback to motivate them towards SDL, which is not consistent with the philosophical basis of SDL and may lead to inconsistency amongst tutors in the facilitation of this process. Implications for practice are discussed within this article.