Degree of Learner Autonomy among University Students

Abstract

This one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study examined the degree of learner autonomy among first-year students of Gyalpozhing College of Information Technology (GCIT) who were taught using the ‘Learning by Doing’ approach. A total of 62 first-year students taking BSc in Information Technology in the first semester of the academic year 2021 participated in the study. Participants completed pre-and post-closed-ended questionnaires at the beginning and the end of the course and a semi-structured interview at the end of the semester. The quantitative data obtained from the closed-ended questionnaire was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics, and qualitative data using content analysis. The findings from the study shed light on students’ level of learner autonomy and their readiness to embrace self-directed or independent learning approaches such as ‘Learning by Doing’. The study also unveiled benefits and challenges faced by students whilst studying under the ‘Learning by Doing’ pedagogy, which will eventually help in addressing the issues and enabling students to be responsible for their own learning. Overall, the results from this research revealed that learners can enhance their learner autonomy with proper training and pedagogical tools in place. The study, therefore, recommends teachers to incorporate student-centered learning approaches such as ‘Learning by Doing’ to enhance learner autonomy among students.