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INTRODUCTION

This student guide is intended to help with your orientation as a new student in the Universiti
Malaya Medical Programme (UMMP). We strongly recommend that you read it during your first
week.

The five-year medical programme that you are just embarking on is known as the Universiti
Malaya Medical Programme (UMMP).

SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING

‘In its broadest meaning, self-directed learning describes a process in which individuals take the
initiative, with or without the help of others, in diagnosing their learning needs, formulation
learning goals, identifying human and material resources for learning, choosing and
implementing appropriate learning strategies, and evaluating learning outcomes’

(Knowles, M. (1975). Self-Directed Learning. Chicago: Follet. p.18)

At the Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, we want students to drive their own learning.
While this may appear easy to do on paper, learning to learn independently can be a challenge.
Some of you may have the inherent characteristics of a self-directed learner. For others, you will
have to train yourself to be a self-directed learner. While the faculty and lecturers are ready to
guide you in your teaching and learning via an outcome-based curriculum, self-directed learning
goes a step further by expecting students to display [Figure 1]:

Ownership of Learning

▪ Articulate learning gaps
▪ Set learning goals
▪ Identify learning tasks to achieve the goals
• Extension of Own Learning
▪ Learn beyond the curriculum
▪ Empowerment through self-learning
• Management and Monitoring of Own Learning
▪ Explore alternative methods of learning
▪ Make sound decisions
▪ Formulate questions and generate own inquiries
▪ Plan and manage workload and time effectively and efficiently
▪ Reflect on your learning
▪ Use feedback to inform and improve yourself
• Develop Skills of Self-Directed Learner
▪ Acquire positive habits
▪ Develop healthy coping strategies
▪ Ensure self-care

(Source: The ICT Connection @ https://ictconnection.edumail.sg)