‘Spoon-Fed’ Versus Self-Directed Learning in an Arab Context
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2018, Vol 18, Issue 2
Abstract
During my many years of teaching, planning and research at both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education institutions in Saudi Arabia, I have witnessed the establishment of new learning environments following the adaptation of different curricula and application of new teaching and learning strategies, such as problem-based learning (PBL).1 However, it is debatable whether such environments are conducive for learning in Saudi Arabia and whether they will produce independent self-directed and lifelong learners. While people in various parts of the world have different lifestyles, they also think in distinctly different ways.2 Countries with predominantly Arab cultures, especially in the Middle East, have their own traditions that reflect varying elements of achievement, hierarchy and uncertainty. Tis may therefore complicate attempts to simply transfer existing skill-based systems from Western to Arab countries.2 In secondary schools with teacher-centred educational systems, students are generally less independent within the learning process; one might claim that such students are ‘spoon-fed’ the requisite knowledge by their teachers.3,4 Furthermore, the examination process encourages students to focus solely on their grades, inhibiting them from learning information outside of the set curricula. Unfortunately, the expectation of being ‘spoon-fed’ is often carried on from secondary school to medical school. Tis deters self-directed learning (SDL), which incorporates highly useful skills, particularly when subsequently entering a demanding and challenging learning environment such as a medical school.5 Graduating from a secondary school to a medical school presents a transitional challenge for many students due to the lack of academic rigour, self-motivation and dedication to lifelong learning necessary to become a competent physician. In general, many students favour a ‘spoon-feeding’ learning approach because it provides easy access to the right answers. However, such methods give students the incorrect impression that such knowledge is known to or accessible only via their teachers.3 As a result, it is common for students who have been ‘spoon-fed’ to only be capable of regurgitating information they have been told.6 In situations wherein students lack SDL skills, exposing frst-year medical students to an independent learning environment without guidance may cause difculties. Consequently, students may feel forced to turn to tutors, follow predetermined learning objectives or partake in rote learning in order to maintain their grade point average.6,7 Tis results in students who either attempt to apply rote learning during examinations or are not able to answer examination questions at all. Overall, PBL involves a constructivist approach whereby students build new knowledge upon prior knowledge.1 However, the acquirement of new knowledge requires time. Terefore, instead of expecting Arab students to take part in a fully independent SDL approach, such students should be guided towards directed self-learning.8,9 Tis approach provides initial guidance and a support system for students, thereby offering more time to acquire new knowledge and develop SDL skills. In addition, medical educators should create a grassroots strategy for the development of self-regulation skills in order to enable these future physicians to become selfdirected lifelong learners.10
Authors and Affiliations
Abdul S. Khan
Keywords
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