Learner Autonomy: A Comparison of Instructor and Learner Perspective

Abstract

Considering the general framework of Learner Autonomy, this study explores the perspectives of instructors and students in higher education within the Engilsh as a Foreign Language environment of Ankara and aims to determine whether their views align. Although numerous studies have been conducted on the topic, there is limited research that directly compares the beliefs of students and instructors. The study involved 514 participants in total (405 students and 109 instructors) from preparation schools at 5 different universities in Ankara. Data were gathered through a questionnaire created by Camilleri (1997). According to the survey, both participants expressed a desire for greater LA in their classes to a certain extend. However, instructors were more cautious when it came to granting learners power over more general pedagogical elements like topic selection and classroom management, even if they frequently encourage LA in areas like task comprehension and self-assessment. Both groups tended to fall into the same interpretive category of "partial support," although their results differed statistically. These variations point to a gap between the theoretical support and practical use of LA. This suggests a subtle discrepancy in viewpoints that may warrant further research, particularly in relation to how each group views and values autonomy in educational activities.

Keywords

• Learnet autonomy
• EFL context
• Instructors' opinions
• Learners’ opinions

Öğrenen Özerkliği: Hazırlık Sınıflarındaki Öğretim Görevlilerinin ve Öğrencilerin Görüşlerinin Karşılaştırılması

Öz

Bu çalışma, İngilizce hazırlık sınıflarındaki öğrenciler ile öğretim elemanlarının öğrenen özerkliğine ilişkin algı ve görüşlerini karşılaştırmalı olarak incelemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Daha önce alanda konuyla ilgili pek çok çalışma yapılmış olmasına karşın öğretmen ve öğrencilerin görüşlerini karşılaştıran yeterli sayıda çalışma bulunmamaktadır. Çalışmada Ankara’da 3 vakıf ve 2 devlet üniversitesinden, 405 öğrenci ve 109 öğretim görevlisi olmak üzere toplam 514 katılımcı yer almıştır. Veriler, Camilleri (1997) tarafından hazırlanan anket ve 25 gönüllü ile yürütülen görüşmeler ile toplanmıştır. Bu çalışma karma metot kullanılarak hazırlanan bir araştırma örneği olmuştur. Nicel veriler kodlama sistemi ile analiz edilirken, nitel veriler için SPSS 22 versiyonu kullanılmıştır. Bulgular, hem öğretim görevlilerinin hem de hazırlık sınıfı öğrencilerinin derslerde daha fazla öğrenen özerkliği görmek istediklerini göstermektedir. Ayrıca araştırmada, öğrencilerin daha fazla sorumluluk üstlenmek; öğretim görevlilerin ise kendi sorumluluklarını öğrencileriyle daha fazla paylaşmak istediği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.” şeklinde düzeltilebilir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Öğrenen özerkliği
• Yabancı dil olarak ingilizce
• Öğretim Görevlilerinin Görüşleri
• Öğrencilerin düşünceleri

Kaynakça

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