Es besteht eine starke Nachfrage nach einer positiven Applikation zum Lernen, um den strategischen Plan des indonesischen Ministeriums für Bildung und Kultur zu fördern, dass die Ratio von Berufsschule höher als die allgemeinbildende Schule werden kann. Die rasante entwicklung der Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologie könnte es ermöglichen, den Lernenden ein computergestütztes, personalisiertes E-Learning-System zur Verfügung zu stellen, um die Tatsache zu überwinden, dass jeder Lernende seine eigene Präferenz hat. Diese Studie bietet ein adaptives E-Learning-System, bei dem zwei Quellen der Personalisierung berücksichtigt werden: der Lernstil des Schülers und das Vorwissen. Um die Wirksamkeit des vorgeschlagenen E-Learning-Programms zu untersuchen, werden die Leistungen der Schüler bezüglich der drei niedrigsten Ebenen im kognitiven Bereich (Wissen, Verständnis und Anwendung) in der E-Learning-Gruppe mit denen der traditionellen Unterrichtsgruppe verglichen. Ein weiterer interessanter Bereich ist die sogannte schülerperspektive Usability-Bewertung und die Beziehung zwischen den Usability-Fragebogen angegebenen Aspekten zu erforschen. Der Entwurfs- und Entwicklungsprozess des adaptiven E-Learning-Systems in dieser Studie berücksichtigte sowohl das Instruktionsdesign als auch das Software-Engineering. Die erste Phase begann mit der Analyse des Kandidaten der Teilnehmer, des Fachkurses und des Online-Liefermediums. Der nächste Schritt bestand darin, die Prozedur, die Regelwerk der Adaptation und die Benutzeroberfläche zu entwerfen. Dann wurde Entwicklungsprozess des Lehrsystems auf der Grundlage der aus den vorherigen Phasen gesammelten Daten durchgeführt. Die nächste Phase war die Implementierung des Unterrichtsprogramms für die Schüler in einer kleinen Gruppe. Schließlich wurde die E-Learning-Anwendung in drei verschiedenen Teststrategien bewertet: Funktionsbasiertes Testen, Expertenbasierte Bewertung und benutzerperspektivische Bewertung. Die nächste Aktion ist eine experimentelle Studie, bei der das adaptive E-Learning-System im Lernprozess angewendet wird. An diesem Experiment waren zwei Gruppen beteiligt. Die Experimentalgruppe bestand aus 21 Studenten, die den Unterrichtsfach Digital Simulation mithilfe des adaptiven E-Learning-Systems lernten. Eine andere Gruppe war die Kontrollgruppe, die 21 Schüler umfasste, die dasselbe Unterrichtsfach in der traditionellen Klasse lernten. Es wurden zwei Instrumente verwendet, um die erforderlichen Daten zu erheben. Das erste Instrument bestand aus 30 Multiple-Choice-Fragen, die die kognitiven Ebenen von Wissen, Verstehen und Anwendung enthielten. Dieses Instrument wurde verwendet, um die Schülerleistung bei dem obengeschriebenen Unterrichtsfach zu bewerten. Das zweite Instrument war der Usability-Fragebogen, der aus 30 4-Punkte-Likert Aussagen bestand. Dieser Fragebogen bestand aus vier Dimensionen nämlich Nützlichkeit, Benutzerfreundlichkeit, Lernfreundlichkeit und Zufriedenheit. Mit diesem Fragebogen wurde die Usability der adaptiven E-Learning-Applikation basierend auf die Perspektive des Schülers bewertet. Der Befund dieser Studie ergab ein ungewöhnliches Phänomen, bei dem das Ergebnis des Pre-Tests der Kontrollgruppe signifikant höher als Experimentalgruppe. Zum Post-Test Vergleich, obwohl die Leistung der E-Learning Gruppe höher als der von der regulären war, war der Unterschied zwischen den beiden statistisch nicht signifikant. Der Vergleich der Punktzahlsteigerung wurde gemacht, um zu untersuchen, welche Behandlungsgruppe effektiver war. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass die gesamte Punktzahlsteigerung von der Experimentalgruppe signifikant höher als die von der Kontrollgruppe war. Diese Beweise waren auch im Hinblick auf das Wissen, das Verständnis und die Anwendungsebene des kognitiven Bereichs gültig. Diese Ergebnisse bestätigten, dass die Gruppe des adaptiven E-Learning-Systems bezüglich ihrer Leistung effektiver war als die Gruppe der Studenten, die in der traditionellen Klasse lernten. Ein weiterer wichtiger Befund betraf die Bewertung der Usability. Die Punktzahl der Messung wurde anhand verschiedener Ansätze analysiert und ergab, dass der Usability-Score in allen Aspekten (Nützlichkeit, Benutzerfreundlichkeit, Lernfreundlichkeit und Zufriedenheit) den akzeptablen Kriterien zuzuordnen ist. Darüber hinaus wurde die Regressionsanalyse durchgeführt, um die Beziehung zwischen den Variablen zu untersuchen. Der erste Befund ergab, dass die unabhängigen Variablen (Nützlichkeit, Benutzerfreundlichkeit und Lernfreundlichkeit) gleichzeitig die abhängige Variable (Zufriedenheit) beeinflussten. In der Zwischenzeit ergab der Teil t-Test unterschiedliche Ergebnisse. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, dass die variable Benutzerfreundlichkeit die variable Zufriedenheit signifikant beeinflusste. Der variable Nützlichkeit und die Lernfreundlichkeit wirkten sich indessen nicht signifikant auf die variable Zufriedenheit aus. / There is a strong demand for a positive instructional application in order to address the strategic plan of the Ministry of Education and Culture in Indonesia to change the ratio of vocational secondary school to be higher than the general school one. The immense growth of information and communication technology may be possible to provide a computer-based personalized e-learning system to the learners in order to overcome the fact that each student has their own preferences in learning. This study offers an adaptive e-learning system by considering two sources of personalization: the student’s learning style and initial knowledge. In order to investigate the effectiveness of the proposed e-learning program, the students’ achievement in terms of three lowest levels in the cognitive domain (knowledge, comprehension, and application) in the e-learning group is compared with the traditional classroom group. Another area that is interesting to explore is the usability evaluation based on the students’ perspective and the relationship between aspects specified in the usability questionnaire. The design and development process of the adaptive e-learning system in this study was considering both the instructional system design and software engineering. The first phase was started by analyzing the participants’ candidate, the subject course, and the online delivery medium. The next step was designing the procedure, the adaptation set of rules, and the user interface. Then, the process to develop the instructional system based on the data collected from the previous phases was conducted. The next stage was implemented the instructional program to the students in a small group setting. Finally, the e-learning application was evaluated in three different settings: functional-based testing, experts-based assessment, and user-perspective evaluation. The next action is an experimental study by applying the adaptive e-learning system to the learning process. There were two groups involved in this experiment. The experimental group that consisted of 21 students who learned the Digital Simulation course by utilizing the adaptive e-learning system. Another group was the control group that included 21 students who studied the same course through the traditional classroom setting. There were two instruments used to collect the required data. The first instrument contained 30 multiple-choice questions that considered the cognitive levels of knowledge, comprehension, and application. This instrument was used to assess the student achievement of the intended course. The second instrument was the usability questionnaire that consisted of 30 4-point Likert scale statements. This questionnaire was composed of four dimensions, namely usefulness, ease of use, ease of learning, and satisfaction. This questionnaire aimed to evaluate the usability of the adaptive e-learning application based on the student’s perspective. The finding in this study revealed an unusual phenomenon which the pre-test result of the control group was significantly exceeding those of the experimental group. For the post-test score comparison, although there was a higher achievement in the e-learning group than in the regular group, the difference between both achievements was not statistically significant. The comparison in terms of the gain score was conducted in order to investigate which treatment group was more effective. The results indicated that the total gain score achieved by the experimental group was significantly higher than those recorded by the control group. This evidence was also valid with regard to the knowledge, comprehension, and application-level of the cognitive domain. These findings confirmed that the group who utilized the adaptive e-learning system was reported more effective in terms of the achievement score than the group of students who studied in the traditional setting. Another important finding was related to usability evaluation. The measurement score was analyzed through different approaches and revealed that the usability score categorized in the acceptable criteria in all aspects (usefulness, ease of use, ease of learning, and satisfaction). Furthermore, the regression analysis was conducted in order to explore the relation between the variables. The first finding reported that the independent variables (usefulness, ease of use, and ease of learning) simultaneously influenced the dependent variable (satisfaction). In the meantime, the partial t-Test found varying results. The results indicated that the variable ease of use was significantly influenced variable satisfaction. Meanwhile, variable usefulness and ease of learning were not significantly affected variable satisfaction.

Significant changes have taken place in higher education over dte past ten years. Learners are more liberated and want to be acknowledged as individuals with differences, and not expected to adapt their individual characteristics to fit in with the specific environment of the learning situation. A new emphasis is placed upon creating and sustaining learning environments that accommodate Ieamer needs and dte process of effective learning. Learners' individual needs include their need to learn how to learn and an acceptance of their individual differences as expressed in learning styles. Active Ieamer participation in dte learning process is necessary for effective learning to take place. Only dten can the desired outcome be reached. For a Ieamer to actively participate in the learning process, the Ieamer must know how to learn, and how to function as an independent Ieamer. To reach these goals, sound knowledge of individual differences in learning st;ytes is necessary. The impact of individual differences on education and the way they affect educational practice, future learning and academic achievement places the emphasis even more strongly on constant awareness, updatlng or change, improvement and development of the educational environment. The educator, as one of the role players in the educational environment, is the facilitator of learning, and should be empowered with a strong knowledge base regarding individual differences among both learners and educators, thus becoming more innovative and creative. Qualitative non-empirical research was undertaken. The aim of this research was to analyse and explore the concept learning style as well as to promote learning style awareness through assessment of learning st;ytes, and to provide an organised frame of reference to guide the learning process and provide for systematic education. Based on insight and knowledge gained through Inductive and deductive reasoning, The Learning Style Assessment Tool and a model for learning style promotion in higher education were constructed. The instrument enables learners and educators to assess their own learning st;ytes and identify their learning characteristics and preferences. The model can serve as a basis for acknowledging and accommodating learning styles in higher education. The desired outcome of this research is effective learning and quality education. / Health Studes / D. Litt. et Phil. (Advanced Nursing Sciences)

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an instructor-led and a self-managed computer training course. A sample of forty nine (n=49) previously disadvantaged South African adult learners was used. Half the sample was randomly assigned to the instructor-led course, while the other half was assigned to the self-managed course. Data dealing with the course content and design, subject demographics, previous computer experience, preferred learning style, and learning potential was collected prior to each course. After the course, the ability to create key outcomes using the learned software was assessed, as well as subject perceptions of the course and various support and performance system factors. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the performance on the competence assessment of the students from the two groups. The data did, however, indicate a stronger preference for the self-managed approach. A number of limitations to the study were also noted. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)

Submitted by William Justo Figueiro (williamjf) on 2015-07-08T22:04:26Z No. of bitstreams: 1 10b.pdf: 11735358 bytes, checksum: d58155d036bd55a1a5ff2dfd32b4c4bc (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-08T22:04:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 10b.pdf: 11735358 bytes, checksum: d58155d036bd55a1a5ff2dfd32b4c4bc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Nenhuma / Sistemas de computadores estão cada vez mais sendo utilizados por escolas e universidades para gerenciar os aprendizes em todo o mundo. Os dados gerados pela utilização de sistemas como Enterprise Resource Planning, Learning Management System e Ambientes Virtuais de Aprendizagem podem conter informações valiosas. Estas informações podem ser estrategicamente utilizadas para auxiliar os professores na tomada de decisão. No entanto, existem casos onde somente os dados históricos dos aprendizes não são suficientes para apoiar a tomada de decisão. A tomada de decisão pode ser requerida antes mesmo de se obter os dados históricos, por exemplo, para aprendizes recém matriculados. O Estilo de Aprendizagem pode complementar os dados históricos cobrindo essa lacuna através do cruzamento com os padrões de comportamento histórico. Uma vez coletado, o Estilo de Aprendizagem pode ser utilizado em qualquer momento futuro, pois é considerado estável de maneira a não mudar significativamente com o passar do tempo. Neste sentido, este trabalho tem por objetivo propor a avaliação da utilização do Estilo de Aprendizagem no diagnóstico antecipado do comportamento dos aprendizes na modalidade de Educação a Distância para o suporte à tomada de decisão. A hipótese de que existe relação entre o Estilo de Aprendizagem e o comportamento do aprendiz em um Ambientes Virtual de Aprendizagem surge a partir do entendimento do conceito de Estilo de Aprendizagem, onde as preferências cognitivas e comportamentais são descritas numericamente. O comportamento de aprendizes em um ambiente virtual é identificado através das suas interações com os elementos do ambiente virtual. Dessa maneira, os dados sobre estas interações podem ser relacionados com as variáveis que descrevem o Estilo de Aprendizagem, chamadas dimensões, permitindo com que o diagnóstico antecipado do comportamento possa ser realizado promovendo o suporte à tomada de decisão. Assim, esta dissertação traz os esfor- ços da potencial utilização do Estilo de Aprendizagem em doze experimentos de diagnóstico do comportamento do aprendiz. Os resultados destes experimentos sugerem que o Estilo de Aprendizagem pode explicar o comportamento do aprendiz relacionados à quantidade de interações no ambiente de aprendizagem, ao intervalo de tempo entra as interações e à evasão. A dimensão Sequencial/Global apresentou resultados claros de que é possível antecipar o comportamento do aprendiz utilizando apenas o estilo com acurácia entre 50 e 80% para praticamente todos os experimentos. Complementarmente, a dimensão Ativo/Reflexivo também apresentou resultados com o mesmo nível de acurácia, porém satisfazendo apenas metade dos experimentos. / Computer systems are increasingly being used by schools and universities to manage learners in the worldwide. The data generated by the use of systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning, Learning Management System and Virtual Learning Environments can contain valuable information. This information can be used strategically to support teachers in decision making. However, there are situations where only the learners’ historical data are not sufficient to support decision making. Decision making may be required even before obtaining historical data, in example, for newly registered learners. The learner Learning Style can complement historical data covering this gap through the intersection with the historical behavior patterns. Once collected, learning style can be used at any time in the future, it is considered stable so as not change significantly over time. Thus, this thesis aims to propose a evaluation of the potential use of Learning Style in the early learner behavior diagnosis in the distance learning to support decision making. The hypothesis that there is a relation between Learning Style and the learner behavior in Virtual Learning Environments arises from the understanding of the concept of Learning Style, where the cognitive and behavioral preferences are described numerically. The learners’ behavior in a virtual environment is identified through its interaction with the elements of the virtual environment. Thus, the data generated from these interactions can be related to the variables that describe the Learning Style, called dimensions, allowing that early behavior diagnosis can be achieved by promoting the support to decision making. Thus, this dissertation brings the efforts of the potential use of Learning Style to diagnose learners’ behavior in twelve experiments. The results of these experiments suggest that the Learning Style can explain the learner behavior related to the amount of interaction in the learning environment, the interval of time among interactions and evasion. The Sequential/Global dimension had clear results that it is possible to anticipate the learner behavior using only the style with accuracy between 50 and 80% for almost all experiments. In addition, the Active/Reflective dimension also presented results with the same level of accuracy, however satisfying only half of the experiments.

The study explores the music development, achievement and aspirations of adolescent students who participate in pre-tertiary specialised music programs. A theoretical model is developed for the study to investigate the role and influence of such training in the development of music skills, and explores relationships amongst music experience, music engagement, academic achievement, interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships, personal learning styles, and affective response to music. The data source for the study was the Young Conservatorium program (YCP) at Griffith University. Three sub-studies formed the investigation, two focussing on music development, and one, the program. The first sub-study involved 117 enrolled students, the second, 44 teachers and 112 former students, and the third, 15 case studies. Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained using surveys, tasks, tests, interviews, discussions, reflective journals, and practice logs. A large body of literature has identified a continued need for research that traces the music development of young musicians in adolescence, research that utilises both large and small sampling (particularly case studies), and is conducted at the time of training. The present study was conducted over two years, utilised a larger population than many previous studies, involved case studies, and combined contemporaneous and retrospective approaches. Research findings contribute to knowledge regarding young musicians' music training and learning in pre-tertiary specialised music programs, and the nature of pre-tertiary specialised music programs themselves: their rationale, methods of instruction, and overall effectiveness. They highlight the types of music programs and music training provisions available to young Australian musicians, and, though showing students to frequently engage in multiple music learning environments, confirm the need for individuals demonstrating above-average music ability to access specialised music tuition and opportunities, develop in a supportive learning environment, and interact with students of similar interests and abilities. Although also suggesting there to be a number of factors associated with pre-tertiary specialised music training that can deter some students, such factors tend to be non-musical in nature. In all, the study does show a trend for the families of young, above-average musicians to choose to provide for their children access to pre-tertiary specialised training, and for participants to gain from this experience. The study seeks to enhance understanding of the conditions though which music development is nurtured; it confirms the importance of exposure and opportunity, the collective efforts of the family and community, and the need for hard work and perseverance to usually be exercised by young musicians themselves. Common trends associated with the music development of young, above-average musicians pertained to music training and influences, characteristics, goals, and achievement. Early music exposure, guidance, and positive music experiences were found to be conducive to music learning. The establishment of a practice routine, increasing engagement with music, the formation of broad music preferences, demonstration of high music aptitude, musical and academic achievement, and goal-setting all characterised the experiences and marked the qualities of students sustaining their music interests in adolescence. Interpersonal support and developing intrapersonal attributes, personal learning styles and increasing affective response to music, together with developing cognitive and metacognitive skills, were generally shown to typify the music development of young, above-average musicians in adolescence.

本研究旨在探討分段式評量教學法對高二學生於學習數學時學習成就的影響。研究對象為台北縣某國立高中二年級理組學生，分為實驗組42位及控制組44位共86位學生，以20週的時間進行實驗，觀察分析其學習成就的改變。 本研究結果發現，在相同教學時間下： 1. 分段式評量教學法在整體學習成就方面有正面影響且結果達顯著差異。 2. 對不同學習風格學習成就之正面影響雖未達顯著水準，但學習成就相對改善值似乎有增加的趨勢。 3. 對不同學習程度分組而言，中分組與低分組學生之學習成就方面有正面影響且達顯著差異。 4. 實施分段式評量教學法的學生比使用傳統教學法的學生在學習態度方面似乎較不會有放棄數學的現象。 綜而論之，分段式評量教學法可提供教學者，在面對數學學習成就低落的學生一個有效的引導方法，讓這些學生不僅不會放棄數學，還能漸漸的建立良好的學習習慣。 / This research mainly aims at evaluating how divided assessment teaching method would effect junior students’ mathematics-learning performance in high school. A case study was conducted on science-team junior students in a Taipei-county high school, composed of 42 students in experimental group and 44 ones in control group respectively, amounting to 86. This experiment spanned as long as 20 weeks for analysis on how students’ learning performance would be benefited. It is thus concluded in this research after evaluating both 2 group’s learning performance in term of equal length of time as below: 1. Divided assessment teaching method would have positive effect on learning performance at significance level. 2. Although divided assessment teaching method has positive effects on learning performance for various learning style subgroups, these positive effects are not significant. Their relative improvements of learning performance seemed to be increased, too. 3. When evaluated in term of original-performance level, students’ learning performance in average-level and in inferior-level subgroups both would be benefited positively at significance level. 4. Students taking divided assessment teaching method would have more persistent learning attitude than those taking traditional teaching method. In summary, divided assessment teaching method could help teachers to offer more effective teaching-guidance to students who had inferior learning performance. As a result, students would not only persist in mathematics learning but also cultivate enthusiastic learning attitude gradually.

The purpose of this study was to examine the self-directed learning readiness in executive fire officers in relation to the independent variables of personality type, educational attainment, and professional designation. This research utilized a quantitative design. This study utilized the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale (SDLRS) with a sample of 250 professional firefighters. The total sample was divided equally between executive-level fire officers and firefighters at 125 each from professional departments in the Southeastern United States. Results were that the mean SDLRS score for the executive-level fire officers was 233.7 and significantly higher than the means of both the firefighters (221.6) and the adult population norm (214). Overall, results also found that the frequency of representation across the eight dominant functions of the MBTI were significantly different between the executive fire officer group and both the firefighter and the MBTI male norm group. However, only extroverted-sensors had a significant difference between the executive fire officers and the firefighters and only extroverted-thinkers had significant difference between executive fire officers and the reported male norm, respectively. Similarly, the executive fire officer sample was compared to a sample of top public managers and found that there were no differences in the representativeness of the two samples. Overall, there were no substantive differences in representativeness of dominant functions between groups. Results indicated significant relationships between education, personality type, and the dependent variable SDLRS scores. The model that was developed explained 15.4% of the variability in SDLRS scores with significant positive correlations for two categories of educational attainment (undergraduate, graduate) and four categories of dominant functions of personality type (ES, EN, ET, and IN). When examining the same model exclusively for executive fire officers, the model explained 9.5% of the variability in SDLRS scores utilizing significant positive correlations for personality type for three categories of dominant function; IN, EN, and ET, respectively. Overall, the results of this study supported the theoretical construct that a high degree of self-directedness in learning was present at the executive fire officer level.

Significant changes have taken place in higher education over the past ten years. Learners are more liberated and want to be acknowledged as individuals with differences, and not expected to adapt their individual characteristics to fit in with the specific environment of the learning situation. A new emphasis is placed upon creating and sustaining learning environments that accommodate learner needs and the process of effective learning. Learners' individual needs include their need to learn how to learn and an acceptance of their individual differences as expressed in learning styles. Active learner participation in the learning process is necessary for effective learning to take place. Only then can the desired outcome be reached. For a learner to actively participate in the learning process, the learner must know how to learn, and how to function as an independent learner. To reach these goals, sound knowledge of individual differences in learning styles is necessary. The impact of individual differences on education and the way they affect educational practice, future learning and academic achievement places the emphasis even more strongly on constant awareness, updating or change, improvement and development of the educational environment. The educator, as one of the role players in the educational environment, is the facilitator of learning, and should be empowered with a strong knowledge base regarding individual differences among both learners and educators, thus becoming more innovative and creative. Qualitative non-empirical research was undertaken. The aim of this research was to analyse and explore the concept learning style as well as to promote learning style awareness through assessment of learning styles, and to provide an organised frame of reference to guide the learning process and provide for systematic education. Based on insight and knowledge gained through inductive and deductive reasoning, the Learning Style Assessment Tool and a model for learning style promotion in higher education were constructed. The instrument enables learners and educators to assess their own learning styles and identify their learning characteristics and preferences. The model can serve as a basis for acknowledging and accommodating learning styles in higher education. The desired outcome of this research is effective learning and quality education.

Significant changes have taken place in higher education over dte past ten years. Learners are more liberated and want to be acknowledged as individuals with differences, and not expected to adapt their individual characteristics to fit in with the specific environment of the learning situation. A new emphasis is placed upon creating and sustaining learning environments that accommodate Ieamer needs and dte process of effective learning. Learners' individual needs include their need to learn how to learn and an acceptance of their individual differences as expressed in learning styles. Active Ieamer participation in dte learning process is necessary for effective learning to take place. Only dten can the desired outcome be reached. For a Ieamer to actively participate in the learning process, the Ieamer must know how to learn, and how to function as an independent Ieamer. To reach these goals, sound knowledge of individual differences in learning st;ytes is necessary. The impact of individual differences on education and the way they affect educational practice, future learning and academic achievement places the emphasis even more strongly on constant awareness, updatlng or change, improvement and development of the educational environment. The educator, as one of the role players in the educational environment, is the facilitator of learning, and should be empowered with a strong knowledge base regarding individual differences among both learners and educators, thus becoming more innovative and creative. Qualitative non-empirical research was undertaken. The aim of this research was to analyse and explore the concept learning style as well as to promote learning style awareness through assessment of learning st;ytes, and to provide an organised frame of reference to guide the learning process and provide for systematic education. Based on insight and knowledge gained through Inductive and deductive reasoning, The Learning Style Assessment Tool and a model for learning style promotion in higher education were constructed. The instrument enables learners and educators to assess their own learning st;ytes and identify their learning characteristics and preferences. The model can serve as a basis for acknowledging and accommodating learning styles in higher education. The desired outcome of this research is effective learning and quality education. / Health Studes / D. Litt. et Phil. (Advanced Nursing Sciences)

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an instructor-led and a self-managed computer training course. A sample of forty nine (n=49) previously disadvantaged South African adult learners was used. Half the sample was randomly assigned to the instructor-led course, while the other half was assigned to the self-managed course. Data dealing with the course content and design, subject demographics, previous computer experience, preferred learning style, and learning potential was collected prior to each course. After the course, the ability to create key outcomes using the learned software was assessed, as well as subject perceptions of the course and various support and performance system factors. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the performance on the competence assessment of the students from the two groups. The data did, however, indicate a stronger preference for the self-managed approach. A number of limitations to the study were also noted. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M.A. (Industrial Psychology)