Self-paced learning refers to the concept of teaching or learning at one's own speed and convenience. One of the main reasons for implementing online courses is to help students learn at their own pace. This is in contrast to the traditional classroom setting where students follow a set curriculum at the same pace. While many educators believe in self-paced learning, the concept remains controversial due to its potential negative effects on student motivation and performance.
Traditional education recommends that students learn at their own pace. This allows them to follow a set curriculum that suits their interests, abilities and time constraints. However, this practice can negatively affect student motivation and performance when they're forced to learn something they're not interested in. On the other hand, self-paced learning allows students to learn what interests them and helps them reach their academic goals. This is because students who are motivated to learn find their own pace and interest when they're learning.
Various studies on online education reveal that self-paced learning improves student motivation and performance. For example, one study observed how 160 college undergraduates participated in an online course. The instructors provided regular feedback during the course but also allowed each student the freedom to learn at his own pace. The students themselves identified gaps in their knowledge and taught themselves topics using online resources. They found it easy to complete assignments due to pre-built study materials for each topic. At the end of the course, most of the participants rated their overall academic performance as high as before they started self-paced learning.
Apart from improving student motivation, self-paced learning allows for greater teacher control over individual students' learning outcomes. Teachers can easily assign prebuilt study materials for students to complete to increase accountability for assignments. This is especially helpful for students with dyslexia, who have difficulty with reading and studying effectively. Self-paced learning can also be used as a form of remediation for students who were not initially prepared for college level courses. Since remediation targets specific issues that prevent unprepared students from succeeding in college courses, self-paced learning makes remediation more effective by targeting issues that student's lack interest in fixing.
While many practitioners recommend that students learn at their own pace, this approach is beneficial for both learners and teachers alike. Plus, allowing students to self-pace their studies encourages them to develop an aptitude for study over time. Online courses are great for improving your skills if you're willing to put in dedication and work first!
