COMPARING SDL IN SINGAPORE AND VIETNAM: APPROACHES AND STUDENT PERCEPTIONS

COMPARING SDL IN SINGAPORE AND VIETNAM: APPROACHES AND STUDENT PERCEPTIONS

B. Chew, S. CHEAH, T. TRAN, H. Binh, T. TRUONG (2020).  COMPARING SDL IN SINGAPORE AND VIETNAM: APPROACHES AND STUDENT PERCEPTIONS. Volume 1, pp.147-159.

Self-directed learning (SDL) is becoming a critical and important skill in the labor markets of today's VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) world. With significant advances in technology, we are now faced with the challenges of making sense with big data and discerning fake news from genuine ones. SDL is, therefore, a necessary skill in the world we are preparing our students for. However, the classroom culture we have created and inherited is not designed around self-direction, which tends more towards the dissemination of information characterised by large lecture classes, students practicing standard tutorial questions, and for most of the time assessed through time-sensitive examination formats in which students regurgitate information absorbed to demonstrate comprehension. There are, however, many challenges in integrating SDL into an already-packed curriculum. This paper compares the approaches between two institutions in two countries – namely Singapore Polytechnic in Singapore and Duy Tan University in Vietnam – on their respective efforts to impart SDL skills among students. The aim is to learn from each other's practices that both can advance and improve students' learning on these important skills. We are interested in how each institution handles the teaching of SDL skills, faculty preparation, issues and challenges faced, the method used (whether using the CDIO Framework or others; choice of pedagogy, assessment), the measurement used to ascertain the effectiveness of any interventions used, as well as the students' own self-efficacy and perception of SDL in helping them learn better; and lastly plans for moving ahead. This paper firstly provides a brief summary of the vast literature available on these aspects and then shares our findings in the abovementioned areas. It concludes with a discussion on possible ways the 2 institutions can collaborate to further improve each's SDL implementation.

Authors (New): 
Boon-Seng Chew
Sin-Moh CHEAH
Tan TRAN
Ha Dac Binh
Truong V TRUONG
Pages: 
Volume 1, pp.147-159
Affiliations: 
Singapore Polytechnic, Singapore
Duy Tan University, Vietnam
Keywords: 
Self-directed Learning
Curriculum Design
CDIO Standard 3
CDIO Standard 7
CDIO Standard 8
CDIO Standard 11
Year: 
2020
Reference: 
ABET (2019). ABET Accreditation. [Online] Available at: https://www.abet.org/ [Accessed 24 Dec. 2019].: 
Anwar, S. (2019). Incorporating SDL in Enhanced Internship, poster presented during Excellence in Education & Training Convention, Singapore Polytechnic: 
Boyer, S.L., Edmondson, D.R., Artis, A.B., & Fleming, D. (2014). Self-Directed Learning: A Tool for Lifelong Learning, Journal of Marketing Education, 36(1), pp.20-32.: 
Brockett, R.G., & Hiemstra, R. (1991). Self-Direction in Adult Learning: Perspectives on Theory, Research, and Practice. London: Routledge.: 
Cheah, S.M., Wong, Y., & Yang, K. (2019). A Model to Explicitly Teach Self-Directed Learning to Chemical Engineering Students, Proceedings of the 15th International CDIO Conference, Jun 24-28; Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark: 
Chew, B.S., Chia, C.L., & Teo, F. (2019). Work in Progress: Self-Directed Approach for Project Based Learning Activity, IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2019, pp.12-15: 
Cisco (2019). Retrieved from Cisco Visual Networking Index: Forecast and Trends, 2017–2022 White Paper, at https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/service-provider/visual-networking-index-vni/white-paper-c11-741490.html: 
Garrison, D.R. (1997). Self-Directed Learning: Toward a Comprehensive Model, Adult Education Quarterly, 48(1), pp.18-33: 
Gibbons, M. (2002). The Self-Directed Learning Handbook: Challenging Adolescent Students to Excel, John Wiley & Sons: 
Grow, G.O. (1991). Teaching Learners to be Self-Directed, Adult Education Quarterly, 41(3), pp.125-149: 
Grow, G.O. (1994). In Defense of the Staged Self-Directed Learning Model. Adult Education Quarterly, 44(2), pp.109-114: 
Ha Phan. (2019) The Role of the Instructor in Promoting Student Self-Directed Learning, Conference on Renovating Teaching Methods, Duy Tan University.: 
Helene, L., Chan, M.Y., & Siew, KC (2019). Flipped Learning to Nurture Self-Directed Learners at Singapore Polytechnic, Proceedings of the 15th International CDIO Conference, Jun 24-28; Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark: 
Knowles, MS (1975). Self-Directed Learning. New York: Association Press, 1975.: 
Neo, CC (2019). The Little Things Matters – Making Three Small Changes to My Teaching, poster presented during Excellence in Education & Training Convention, Singapore Polytechnic: 
Pintrich, P., Smith, D., Garcia, T., & McKeachie, W. (1991). A Manual for the Use of the Motivation Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ). Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan, National Center for Research to Improve Postsecondary Teaching and Learning.: 
Savio, C. (2019). Supporting Competency-based Training with Self-Directed Learning, poster presented during Excellence in Education & Training Convention, Singapore Polytechnic: 
Soo-Ng, G.L. (2019). Shaping SDL in a Flippled Learning Classroom, Journal of Teaching Practice, Singapore Polytechnic: 
Tan, T.W. (2019). Smartbook for Self-Directed Learning, poster presented during Excellence in Education & Training Convention, Singapore Polytechnic: 
Teamwork.com. (2019). Project Management, Helpdesk Software, CRM, and Chat | Teamwork. [online] Available at: https://www.teamwork.com/ [Accessed 24 Dec. 2019].: 
Tough, A. (1971). The Adult's Learning Projects: A Fresh Approach to Theory and Practice in Adult Education. Toronto: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education: 
Truong Van Truong, Binh Dac Ha, Bao Nguyen Le. (2019). The Effects of Industry 4.0 on Teaching and Learning CDIO Project at Duy Tan University, Proceedings of the 15th International CDIO Conference, Jun 24-28; Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark: 
Go to top