Measuring self-directed learning readiness in health science undergraduates: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The European Higher Education Area places students at the centre of the teacher-guided learning process and requires them to participate more in their education and to be responsible for acquiring the professional competences relevant to their career. Self-directed learning is a key means for developing the skills necessary for professional careers. OBJECTIVE: To measure self-directed learning readiness in health science undergraduates. METHOD: Observational descriptive cross-sectional study of a convenience sample drawn from the total health science (medicine, nursing, physiotherapy and psychology) undergraduate population (n = 1699) at the University of Girona (Spain). The data collection instrument was a self-directed learning readiness scale with 38 items administered to the 1134 undergraduates who agreed to participate. RESULTS: Just over three quarters of the sample (n = 865; 76.27%) completed the full questionnaire. Self-directed learning readiness was indicated by an overall mean (standard deviation) score of 143.65 (11.76) points. Nursing undergraduates obtained the highest mean (SD) score - 145.08 (14.13) - in the overall scale. Associations were observed between degree course and self-directed learning readiness in the learning planning, desire for learning, self-confidence, self-management and self-evaluation subscales. Women scored better than men (p < 0.13) and scores progressively improved with each additional academic year. CONCLUSION: The sampled students exhibited good self-directed learning readiness. Training students in self-directed learning skills is a necessary part of the teaching-learning process. This kind of training in universities needs to be reinforced to develop learning autonomy, promote lifelong learning and prepare competent future health professionals.

La evaluación de las políticas municipales de juventud a partir de un sistema de indicadores / Evaluation of municipal youth policies through an indicators system

En este artículo presentamos un sistema de indicadores (SIAPJove) para evaluar políticas municipales de juventud. El sistema ha sido creado y validado por un grupo de individuos expertos y se ha aplicado en tres municipios de Cataluña en el Estado Español, en forma de estudio de caso para comprobar su aplicabilidad y eficacia. El resultado es un instrumento con 12 ámbitos de evaluación, 32 objetivos de evaluación y 83 indicadores. Permite evaluar la situación de dichas políticas, hacer evidentes las tendencias y los cambios, valorar su nivel de eficacia y contribuir a establecer objetivos a corto y medio plazo. Asimismo, se puede utilizar como herramienta para la autoevaluación, para reflexionar sobre la propia acción y aprender de los errores y las dificultades en el desarrollo de las políticas municipales de juventud...