ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the traditional way and tried an electronic database search for ‘self-directed study.’ The limited reference to self-directed study in the literature means that a traditional academic approach is not feasible. The attitude of the group can either support an individual student’s self-directed study or hinder it. For students of nursing, medicine or other practice-based courses there will also be an equivalent number of hours in practice. A more serious issue related to the wide range of electronic resources available is the question of whether students use the academic logic on which the module outcomes are based to guide their study or their own developing tacit knowledge. Students and mentors are expected to work together to achieve client/patient outcomes and enable the learner to make sense of the theory that they are studying. From the students’ perspective there is potential dissonance between theories taught, tacit knowledge, as demonstrated by practitioners in placements, and the priorities of service delivery.
