Comparative Analysis of Self-Directed Learning Readiness among Undergraduate and Postgraduate Student’s of a Dental Institute in Central India

The field of dental science is changing rapidly and many newer technologies and techniques are evolving, so one should be aware and updated with recent advances. Since there is an increasing number of dental colleges and thereby dental students, the number of students versus teachers ratio is also very less. In such a scenario, students with higher Self Directed Learning Readiness prove to outshine students with a low SDLR. Therefore it was thought necessary to evaluate the SDLR scores for dental students of a dental institute in Central India. So one should take the responsibility for learning process and hence must have the quality of Self Directed Learning Readiness. The present study was carried out to measure readiness for self-directed learning in 1st year, 2nd year,3rd year, 4thyear ,Interns and post graduate students. Self- directed learning readiness (SDLR) assessment was carried out among 300 dental students,50 students each of 1st year,2nd year,3rd year, 4th year, interns and post graduate dental students using self-directed learning readiness score (SDLRS) instrument. There were total 40 questionnaire which were based on Self-Management, Desire for Learning and the Self Control. Institute ethical committee clearance was obtained. Study is descriptive based. A questionnaire was prepared and distributed to assess the Self Directed Learning Readiness among B.D.S students, interns and M.D.S students of V.S.P.M’s Dental College & Research Centre, Nagpur. These questionnaires are based on Self Directed Learning Readiness Scale grouped into Self-management, Desire for learning and Self-Control. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied on the test results of the six groups and comparison was done. The results of ANOVA for SDLR of all the six groups was shown in Table 2. The ‘p’ value less than 0.05 was taken as significant change among the groups. This analysis revealed statistically non-significant (p = 0.011) change in the SDLR of the six groups. This study advances the understanding of SDLR by exploring students’ perception of factors influencing their self-direction in learning. Findings from this stage provides insight into students experiences which suggests that students need appropriate facilitation and support from the teacher and the learning environment during the process of these SDLR activities. SDL scores were lower among the1st and 2nd year BDS students than reported elsewhere in the literature. This study points out the need to address the students’ SDL skills, and need for ways to build SDL skills in the students Key Words: Dental students, Self-Directed Learning Readiness (SDLR) scale, Self-Directed Learning Readiness (SDLR) assessment.