Self-directed learning/Self-Directed Learning Instrument (SDLI)

Introduction

The Self-Directed Learning Instrument (SDLI) was developed by Su-Fen Cheng (2010), School of Nursing, National Taipei College of Nursing, to measure the self-directed learning (SDL) abilities of nursing students. In our opinion it also could be used in other domains, e.g. computing students.

Cadorin,Bressan, Palese, (2017), in a comparison with other tests, give a good rating to the psychometric properties of the SDLI: “In general, only some psychometric properties have been validated in the available tools, despite the complexity of their process and the measures required to consider an instrument valid; moreover, with the exception of the SDLI, for which the methodology quality adopted in estimating the psychometric properties was excellent, in other instruments the quality of the methodologies used ranged, in general, from fair to poor. For this reason, on the basis of the findings of our review, SDLI can be recommended for the evaluating of SDL abilities among nursing students and nurses.”

The scale

Based on Shen (2014).

Learning motivation (LM)

1. I know what I need to learn.

2. Regardless of the results or effectiveness of my learning, I still like learning.

3. I strongly hope to constantly improve and excel in my learning.

4. My successes and failures inspire me to continue learning.

5. I enjoy finding answers to questions

6. I will not give up learning because I face some difficulties.

Planning and implementing (PI)

7. I can pro-actively establish my learning goals.

8. I know what learning strategies are appropriate for me in reaching my learning goals.

9. I set the priorities of my learning.

10. Whether in the clinical practicum, classroom or on my own, I am able to follow my own plan of learning.

11. I am good at arranging and controlling my learning time.

12. I know how to find resources for my learning.

Self-monitoring (SM)

13. I can connect new knowledge with my own personal experiences.

14. I understand the strengths and weakness of my learning.

15. I can monitor my learning progress.

16. I can evaluate on my own my learning outcomes.

Interpersonal communication (IC)

17. My interaction with others helps me plan for further learning.

18. I would like to learn the language and culture of those whom I frequently interact with.

19. I am able to express messages effectively in oral presentations.

20. I am able to communicate messages effectively in writing

Bibliography

• Cadorin, L., Bressan, V., & Palese, A. (2017). Instruments evaluating the self-directed learning abilities among nursing students and nurses: a systematic review of psychometric properties. BMC medical education, 17(1), 229. doi:10.1186/s12909-017-1072-3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5702155/

• Cadorin, Lucia; Su-Fen Cheng and Alvisa Palese (2016). Concurrent validity of self-rating scale of self-directed learning and self-directed learning instrument among Italian nursing students, BMC Nursing, March 2016, DOI: 10.1186/s12912-016-0142-x https://www.researchgate.net/publication/299281858_Concurrent_validity_of_self-rating_scale_of_self-directed_learning_and_self-directed_learning_instrument_among_Italian_nursing_students

• Cheng, S. F., Kuo, C. L., Lin, K. C., & Lee-Hsieh, J. (2010). Development and preliminary testing of a self-rating instrument to measure self-directed learning ability of nursing students. International journal of nursing studies, 47(9), 1152-1158. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020748910000532 - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/41909792_Development_and_preliminary_testing_of_a_self-rating_instrument_to_measure_self-directed_learning_ability_of_nursing_students
  • Main / first publication

• Shen, W. Q., Chen, H. L., & Hu, Y. (2014). The validity and reliability of the self-directed learning instrument (SDLI) in mainland Chinese nursing students. BMC medical education, 14(1), 1. https://bmcmededuc.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1472-6920-14-108 - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/262789768_The_validity_and_reliability_of_the_self-directed_learning_instrument_SDLI_in_mainland_Chinese_nursing_students