Making a level playing field at Master’s level — an application of self-directed learning

AbstractThis study was designed to investigate the ability of a self-directed learning (SDL) approach to overcome the difficulties encountered in delivering a basic module in immunology to students studying for a Masters degree in Medical Microbiology. Difficulties arise from the wide range of academic and experiential learning skills exhibited by the students on this programme, the part-time, modular structure of the programme and the fact that each module is only provided once every two years necessitating that first and second year students are taught simultaneously. It was hoped that an SDL approach would provide an appropriate outcome for all students (i.e. one which reflected their general academic ability) and would enhance retention/application of the knowledge obtained. The programme was designed using Grow’s model of structured SDL making the assumption that the majority of students would be classed as interested learners (Grow, 1991). Outcomes of this approach were assessed by comparing the res...