Associated Factors for Autonomous Learning in University Students From Northern Peruvian Cities

Abstract

At present, in the university environment, teachers make strenuous efforts to promote the development of autonomous learning in students because the globalized and competitive world requires the person to enter the labor world committed and responsible in the self-management of information acquisition and specialized knowledge for the achievement of their professional improvement in the labor field. The study’s objective is to determine the factors associated with autonomous learning in university students in northern Peru. Methodology: a quantitative, descriptive, non-experimental, cross-sectional study. The study sample consisted of 308 university students in the classrooms where two teaching methods are provided (traditional and traditional plus WhatsApp group), a non-probabilistic sample by convenience was used. The results obtained from the university students explain that the level of autonomous learning according to the average score report is regular within the dimensions of initiative and decision-making; likewise, at a global level, it corresponds to a regularly good score in both groups. Concerning the factors associated with autonomous learning, it was evidenced that the use of WhatsApp does not significantly influence independent learning; whereas the covariates sex, academic year and faculty individually are significant. It is concluded that autonomous learning is at a normal level, so it is urgent to use various support tools for the teaching-learning process in the university context to generate critical thinking skills, and decision-making for a competitive global world.