Self-Paced learning?

Question

I was wondering what people thought about self-paced learning?
Personally, I think it is a great idea. Instead of a whole group of people learning at one general level, each student can learn at their own pace. I suppose that is why students are either promoted or held back. I suggest that intead of using that method, I suggest using other methods to give the student an opportunity to never get a grade less than an A, the more they repeat, the more they are apt to get a better grade, plus their would be incentives to accomplish more, instead of the deterring effects of not accomplishing tasks in a timely manner.

I remember back in school, we would read a small section, then answer some questions. We raced to finish thes in order to finish first and go to recess. That meant getting a passing grade and believe me, we did whatever we could to get to recess early.

P.S. I created a windows program that does just what I was referring to and is totally free of charge. The $ is all in the development of the quizzes, which I, as a programmer can't afford to do.
I am not shamelessly self promoting my program, but it just a reference to what I mean and wouldn't hurt my ego if it was used to help others.

http://www.hollandprojects.net/Project_MFC/Project_Teacher/Project_Teacher.htm

Answer 1

In my 4th Grade classroom I have a self paced math group. These children work at their own speed and are usually 1 chapter ahead of the rest of the class. I formed the group after noticing that these kids were becoming frustrated with having to wait for the rest of the kids. Since forming the group, they are much happier. Initially, my other students cried "no fair" because these students usually get up and leave when we start math. I pointed out to them that fair doesn't mean everyone is treated the same, fair means that everyone gets what he/she needs to succeed and this is what they need. The class is OK with it now. It's a fluid group. Kids can join, then opt out when they get to a concept they have difficulty with.

Answer 2

Self-paced learning is good for some, but not for all. I've done both and I tend to need more organizational skills to finish the self-paced work. Even if the work is self-paced....there tends to be a timeline. The concept has been around a long time. Now with technology opening up more virtual classrooms it makes education more accessible than ever. Too bad it tends to be so expensive (at least graduate school is).

Good question.

Answer 3

I have always thought there there needs to be some level of self-pacing in schools. Although, kids do need a motivator to move on, as you don't want a child stuck at a level for too long because they are not motivated.

Answer 4

ok, I checked out what you have done so far

its kind of scanty at best

when I was a kid we had SRA reading self paced thing

I REALLY enjoyed it

you read some interesting thing about something , then if you get the answers right you get to do the harder ones, like if its half right

I REALLY support that learning model, put the info up on the web, let folks learn it and enjoy it and respond, then send the PHD when they have learned enough and demonstrate it, don't charge for it, pay the students $10 a day instead or something.

So like no worries, just for fun and then being afraid of borrowing to much , hurdles, whatever, why not do that?

Answer 5

I think self-paced learning is a great idea. Especially in the areas where the student is having the most trouble. It's hard to learn at the same pace as everybody else. That's why some students aren't learning properly. In self-paced learning, they'll pay attention better!

Answer 6

I agree.