The Indonesian version of self-directed learning readiness scale: Its validity and reliability

Abstract

Self-directed learning (SDL) is a challenge in online learning. Students’ SDL habits would raise the engagement toward online learning and support the students’ higher attainment. Thus, students’ readiness in SDL is crucial. The self-directed learning readiness scale (SDLRS) by Fisher (2001) has been used widely to measure SDL. The original SDLRS written in English is a self-assessment tool for measuring students’ readiness in practicing SDL. The adaptation of SDLRS into the Indonesian language would help teachers, faculty members, and educational institutions in Indonesia to measure students’ readiness in SDL. Therefore, this study aimed to adapt SDLRS into the Indonesian language and determine the validity and reliability of the tool. Participants were 322 students consisted of 161 medical students and 161 non-medical students from a private university in Jakarta. The original SDLRS containing 40 items was forward and backward translated into the Indonesian language. Using corrected-items correlation, we defined the Indonesian SDLRS’ validity. The correlation limit of 0.3 for each item is considered a valid item. There were five items rejected since r<0.3. Cronbach’s Alpha defined the reliability. The Indonesian SDLRS reliability test showed a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient value of 0.942 for the medical students’ group and a value of 0.894 for the non-medical students’ group. Therefore, we concluded that the Indonesian version of SDLRS is reliable. The Indonesian SDLRS with 35 items is a valid and reliable tool to measure students’ readiness in SDL. The tool would help educational stakeholders to assess students’ SDL.