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Integrated into the topic of education, self-paced instruction/learning refers to the method of teaching that allows freedom to the learner. They are able to learn at their own pace and the curriculum could potentially be modified/changed to suit their needs. Apparently this sort of teaching is becoming increasingly popular within classrooms and online courses, but there are disadvantages. Education in high school, in particular, is somewhat a platform for students' futures in the workforce or further education in post-secondary institutions. With this structure of learning, there is the strong possibility of them developing a procrastinating nature in everything they do from that point onwards.
As explained, vaguely as it may seem, there are advantages and disadvantages to self-paced instruction. What are your thoughts or opinions on it? Do you think more schools should move towards this type of learning practice or keep the traditional way?
From my personal experience of being in self-paced program during high school, it honestly did little to help me for the future. There were "units" that contained the material we were to learn that week and it was our responsibility to keep on track. Since there were 20 weeks in a semester, majority of students would slack for the first half and hand in the maximum "2 units per week" during the last half. Sure it taught people to be responsible, but in essence, that leads to them becoming a procrastinator. Even after 3 years of leaving high school, I still find myself cramming for assignments and exams. The self-paced learning I think gave students too much control; the teachers never reminded any of us when things were due because there were never any solid "due dates."
As a result, students who were unable to finish the course within the 20 weeks were allowed to "carryover" meaning that could take another semester to complete it, but that would mean jeopardizing their graduation date. Thankfully though, I was one of those people who obtained all my required credits beforehand and actually had a part-time student status by the last year. Nevertheless though, the lack of due dates didn't help to prepare me for university or college.
/feel free to move or close the topic if you feel like it doesn't fit or warrant enough discussion.
As explained, vaguely as it may seem, there are advantages and disadvantages to self-paced instruction. What are your thoughts or opinions on it? Do you think more schools should move towards this type of learning practice or keep the traditional way?
From my personal experience of being in self-paced program during high school, it honestly did little to help me for the future. There were "units" that contained the material we were to learn that week and it was our responsibility to keep on track. Since there were 20 weeks in a semester, majority of students would slack for the first half and hand in the maximum "2 units per week" during the last half. Sure it taught people to be responsible, but in essence, that leads to them becoming a procrastinator. Even after 3 years of leaving high school, I still find myself cramming for assignments and exams. The self-paced learning I think gave students too much control; the teachers never reminded any of us when things were due because there were never any solid "due dates."
As a result, students who were unable to finish the course within the 20 weeks were allowed to "carryover" meaning that could take another semester to complete it, but that would mean jeopardizing their graduation date. Thankfully though, I was one of those people who obtained all my required credits beforehand and actually had a part-time student status by the last year. Nevertheless though, the lack of due dates didn't help to prepare me for university or college.
/feel free to move or close the topic if you feel like it doesn't fit or warrant enough discussion.
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