EFFECTIVE LEARNING THE PROPEL-LEARN WAY: AN EVIDENCE BASED, MOBILE DELIVERED PROGRAM ENGENDERING SELF-DIRECTED LIFE LONG LEARNING HABITS AND STRATEGIES FOR DISTANCE EDUCATION STUDENTS AND STAFF

摘要

Learners need to have the ability to master masses of information in short times. They also need to be able to discern, evaluate and weigh information as to its quality and reliability, while at the same time mastering the ability to change information into useable knowledge to grapple with relevant issues. The realities are, however, that teaching often still is archaic in the sense that it mainly focuses on the mere mastery of facts, which is necessary, but not sufficient to address the realities of our times. Where there are attempts to transform teaching, it is sometimes based on pop psychology and neuro-myths, and might do more harm than good. It is also true that there is solid research available about minds, brain and education, but often these research results are hidden from practical application in the real life situations where it is needed. The question is, however, when has education reached its goal? For a very long time education focussed on the content of the discipline or subject that is being taught, and assessment centred around testing whether the content has been mastered. Currently, however, we are faced with an information overload as never before. For this reason, the focus is shifting towards also developing learning skills in humans. This is seen as of particular interest to students at Distance Education institutions, and especially to people in the workplace after completion of their formal studies which continues to the end of their careers and even thereafter. Equally, often learners are being coached to pass school, instead of being taught how to learn and master the necessary skills and knowledge in the field they are working in. To address this in the long term, education and training needs to be carried out more efficiently. In the short term, current learners and also employees need to be continuously up-skilled and re-skilled, coupled with developing the ability of life-long learning. There is a myriad of study method programs available, varying substantially in terms of effectiveness, validity and groundedness in reputable research. Many are based on what can be called neuromyths, which are ideas claiming to have a solid foundation in neuro- and cognitive science research, but which are devoid of any scientific basis. Similarly, often people rely on 'Study Method Courses', hoping that mastering a few 'tricks and trades' of studying will be sufficient.