Approaches to Learning and Student Acceptance of Self?study Packages

Abstract

This study examines the attitudes of physiotherapy students towards the replacement of conventional lectures with self‐learning packages. Self‐learning packages were written for part of a course at the Hong Kong Polytechnic. Attitudes to use of the packages were determined with a questionnaire, and student approaches to learning were measured with the ‘Study Process Questionnaire’. It was found that students with a propensity towards a deep approach to learning were more likely to express a preference for self‐study. Those with a propensity towards a surface approach needed the lecture to define the course. There was tentative evidence that the use of a surface approach declined as more self‐study packages were completed.