Self-paced learning is a modern, individualised learning model in which you are provided with all necessary tools and materials to learn at your own pace, decide the focus and sequence of studying. Self-paced learning is more popular among online, distant courses than in traditional classrooms. Though the practice is suitable for everyone, it is extremely useful and important for busy learners who have to work and study at the same time.
Ensure time-efficiency
Contrary to the case of in-class settings, you can absorb knowledge at your own pace and are not affected by others. Quick minds gain competencies in a short period of time while other slower learners can take time to digest information without being pushed ahead. As a result, you take the most out of your already limited studying hours each week.
Suitable for different learning styles
Science has proved that we are so different in terms of learning styles or comprehension capacity. Some are kinaesthetic who learn best through hands-on, experiential demonstration while others are visual learners who prefer to see and visualise connection. Self-paced learning is completely individualised in term of content, timeline and therefore, could be adapted to your own way of processing knowledge for optimal outcome.
Even though you are studying on your own, rest assured that you will move in the right direction and build a solid base. Most self-paced learning programs come with assessments and quizzes at the end of each module to help evaluate level of understanding. If there are gaps, you can always come back to review the lesson again without hassle. This is a unique feature that is unavailable in traditional, in-class models.
Improve memory performance
Free from time pressure, you can allocate suitable amount of time for each lesson, depending on their difficulty. In addition, you may sometimes change the sequence or focus of lessons to increase excitement and prevent boredom while learning alone. In return, your brain works to its full capability and you memorise lessons better, longer.
Improved memory performance also comes from the fact that there is no distraction to lure your mind off studying. In classroom, the distraction is imminent by peers while in self-paced learning, you control interruption by self-discipline and eliminating all disturbing factors like electronic devices, noise or chit-chat. Greater focus help mark information into your brain faster and more thoroughly, easily to be recalled later for actual application.
Enforce the sense of ownership
Many people claim that self-motivation and perseverance are the drawbacks of self-paced learning. However, these are actually big advantages as they cultivate a sense of ownership to learners. You have to read, analyse, assess everything on your own rather than having knowledge transmitted via lecturers. There will be no one or no system there to police your learning progress, so it is up to your scheduling, determination and sequence of lessons that deliver solid outcomes or not.
