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Yoshihiko Ariizumi, assistant professor of foreign languages and literatures, and Mary Taylor ’04 (Princeton, N.J.), a double major in biology and Japanese studies, will present the findings of their 1.5-year study on self-directed learning 4:10 p.m. Thursday, April 8, in Pardee Hall room 429. They gave the same presentation March 31.
“If you are interested in being a self-directed learner or helping students do independent studies more successfully, you cannot miss this event,” says Ariizumi.
Through the EXCEL Scholars program, the pair has collaborated to make foreign language training more accessible by conducting research on self-directed learning, an educational approach that allows motivated students to learn at their own pace outside the traditional classroom.
Taylor, who created her individualized major in Japanese studies, has sought to help schools make up for limited course work in the Japanese language. She will present her research at the 18th annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research April 15-17.
“If self-directed learning can be incorporated into Japanese language courses, then students will be able to continue learning Japanese on their own and reach their desired levels of proficiency,” she says.
Taylor wrote a report on a pilot study she conducted on three Lafayette students to determine if they are self-directed learners — individuals with the motivation to work independently and the skills to evaluate learning without the presence of a professor.
She says that she appreciates Lafayette because of opportunities like EXCEL.
“Lafayette College has the best interests of its students in mind, which allows so many of us to succeed in life after college,” notes Taylor.