What is Self-Study

A research methodology that involves teachers studying their own practice, often through data collection and reflection, in order to understand the effects of their pedagogy and potentially improve it.

Self-study is a kind of practitioner research in teacher education programs serving to create space for reflection, identification of issues, development and testing of solutions with respect to teaching practice using a largely qualitative methodology.

Examining effectiveness of specific educational methods, measures, and materials within one’s own teacher preparation course.

A research method that positions the teacher and their practice at the center of the inquiry.

Reflection on one’s research, pedagogy, and individual process in teaching and learning.

A research methodology where a group of participant-researchers critically examine their own practices.

According to Landwehr and Müller (2008) AU44: The in-text citation "Landwehr and Müller (2008)" is not in the reference list. Please correct the citation, add the reference to the list, or delete the citation. , three forms of self-study can be differentiated: Free self-study is characterized by students freely engaging with specific topics and content, which can be completely independent of specific modules and are not prescribed in the curriculum. Thus, engagement in free independent study is primarily dependent on students' individual interests and personal commitment. Nevertheless, universities can support such activities by awarding credit points for them, for example, by offsetting them in the ECTS total in the context of theses, service learning, or campus credits. Individual self-study is assigned to individual modules, but not through specific structured learning activities. Accordingly, there is no structuring assignment guidance and no contact support by instructors. In accompanied self-study , students work in a self-organized manner - individually and in groups - to complete given assignments. Here, a further distinction is made between “accompanied self-study time” (with contact guidance by teachers) and “unaccompanied self-study time” (without contact guidance).

Insider research focused on the self.

The systematic and educational practice of examining one’s own teaching practice with the purpose of improving instruction.