Student learning and an independent study course

An evaluation of an Open University course being used in a conventional university revealed a number of complex and interrelated issues relating to student learning. This paper considers some problems in researching this area and focusses on four main themes: the relationship of the student's choice of learning strategy with the requirements of the learning task (in this case a textually based independent study course); the ability of the student to adapt his learning strategy to fit the requirements of the course; the restrictions the task imposes on the possible learning strategies that can be employed; the student's view of learning and knowledge. The paper explores the interplay of these factors, with particular reference to the Open University course being studied.