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INTRODUCTION
1. Rationale
In order to be able to adapt to the constant changes of society, to
live and function for a lifetime, the only way is to study for a lifetime.
To study for a lifetime, learners must know how to learn and have
independent learning competency. Independent learning is the internal
force, the decisive factor for the development of learners themselves.
In particular, studying at the university level is an apprenticeship - a
high-level profession; knowledge is now a subject, so it requires
students to understand not only broadly but also deeply the learning
content. Only by independent learning can students transform, train
and innovate themselves to become experts in a profession.
However, the reality shows that for a long time in educational
development, only teaching is discussed. Independent learning and
independent learning education for students is a problem that has been
studied a lot, but most of it is limited to learning skills, management
and organization conditions. The modern research around the world
show the important and complicated role of academic advisors. In
academic credit system training, academic advising is an important
and indispensable link, helping to maximize learners’ interests and
ensure the successful implementation of the academic credit system.
However, there are very few in-depth studies on the use of academic
advisors to educate independent learning or self-studying of students.
On the basis of the above research context, the topic "Educating
independent learning competency for pedagogical students through
academic advising activities" was selected to be studied for the Ph.D.
thesis in Education.
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2. Research aim
Proposing measures to educate independent learning competency
for pedagogical students through academic advising activities at
colleges and universities training according to academic credit system.
3. Object and subject of the study
3.1. Object of the study
Students’ learning activities under the impact process of academic
advising activities.
3.2. Subject of the study
The influences of academic advising activities on independent
learning competency of pedagogical students.
4. Research hyphothesis
If the educational measures through academic advising activities
influence students’ awareness and needs, independent learning attitude,
facilitate and guide students to practise some basic learning skills,
promote the role of counseling and encouragement of mentoring
activities, they will positively affect students and contribute to
improving their independent learning competency.
5. Scope of the study
The dissertation focuses on studying measures to educate
independent learning competency for pedagogical students through
academic advising activities at colleges and universities training under
credit system. A survey for 246 counselors, 71 teachers and
educational administrators, 474 pedagogical students at Hanoi National
University of Education, Hanoi Pedagogical University 2; Thai Nguyen
University of Education; Hung Yen University of Economics and
Business; Hanoi College of Education (Hanoi Metropolitan University);
and Bac Giang College of Education was conducted. At the same time,
an experiment was also orgazined at Hanoi College of Education (Hanoi
Metropolitan University) and Thai Nguyen University of Education.
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6. Research objectives
6.1. Identifying theoretical background of independent learning
competency education for pedagogical students through academic
advising activities.
6.2. Evaluating current situation of pedagogical students’
independent learning competency and students’ independent learning
competency education through academic advising activities in certain
colleges and universities.
6.3. Proposing measures for independent learning competency
education through academic advising activities for pedagogical students.
6.4. Organizing scientific experiments to test the research results.
7. Research methodology
7.1. Research methodology
- Historical-logical approach: review literature to consider and see
the nature of things and phenomena in the available studies on
independent learning competency, independent learning competency
education, independent learning competency education through
academic advising activities, then generalizing researched issues and
research results to avoid duplication and basing on existing studies to
develop or propose new results.
- System-structure approach: Not considering things and
phenomena separately but always in a system in which the elements
have relationships and interact with each other. Considering
independent learning competency education as a component in the
training system of the school; therefore, it has relationships with other
components in the training system and is affected by many factors in
that system such as: human resources, educational program, facilities,
management, etc.
- Practical approach: Measures for independent learning
competency education for pedagogical students through academic
advising activities should be based on the practical basis that is the level
of pedagogical students’ independent learning competency and the
current situation of independent learning competency education through
academic advising activities at educational institutions nowadays.
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7.2. Research methods
- Theoretical research methods: Analyzing, synthesizing,
systematizing, generalizing materials to build theoretical background
for the study.
- Practical research methods: investigation method; pedagogical
observation method; interview method, experimental method.
- Other methods: expert method; mathematical statistical
methods.
8. Significance of the study
8.1. Presenting an overview of typical research of Vietnam as
well as in the world on independent learning competency, independent
learning competency education for students and studies on independent
learning competency education through academic advising activities.
8.2. Identifying and clarifying concepts related to independent
learning competency and advising activities. Developing theoretical
factors related to the structure of students’ independent learning
competency. Presenting 4 models and 4 ways of independent learning
competency education through academic advising activities.
8.3. Detecting a number of events and problems that reflect the
achievements as well as limitations in independent learning competency
education for students and current academic advising activities.
8.4. Proposing 4 measures for students’ independent learning
competency education which affect the awareness, experience and
training activities of students through academic advising activities
together with a system of techniques to effectively deploy such
activities in practice.
8.5. Developing independent learning guidelines and materials for
independent learning competency education through academic advising
activities and sample documents for this educational process.
9. Research arguments
9.1. Independent learning means learning independently and
learning under one’s own control. Independent learning competency is
a decisive factor in the development of each person, the core
competency and foundation to develop other competencies, so all
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students in general and pedagogical students in particular need to be
educated to develop this competency. For pedagogical students,
independent learning competency is also a necessary condition for them
to perform educational tasks well in the practice process later. Advising
activities can support and assist students in academic credit system,
helping students to study and practise with high efficiency and is the
foundation for career development in the future. To educate
pedagogical students’ independent learning competency through
academic advising activities, it is necessary to impact on students'
perception, needs, and learning attitude and encourage their individual
activities based on diversified advising models.
9.2. The current situation of educating independent learning
competency for pedagogical students through academic advising
activities in colleges and universities currently has many shortcomings
that have not yet performed well the task of educating this competency
for pedagogical students, so their independent learning competency
have not yet been well implemented.
9.3. In order to educate independent learning competency for
pedagogical students through counseling activities, it is necessary to
affect the following factors: staff, training programs, materials,
interactive methods of educational forces, learning environment and
also management factors. In the educational process, it is necessary to
ensure the following principles: direct impact on the internal factors of
learning, an appropriate and harmonious approach depending on the
content, the object, combining many effects of counselors, based on an
encouraging learning environment.
9.4. Academic advising activities need to support learners to
discover themselves, to understand the meaning of learning and
independent learning, learning strategies as well as to be aware of the
requirements of the profession, society or surroundings. In addition to
developing learning skills, it is essential for school counselling
activities to build trust, promote motivation, and improve students'
attitude and will to learn.
