(CZ) Príspevok k otázke rozvoja samostatnosti v štúdiu a práci vysokoškolákov
(EN) A Contribution to the Question of Developing Independence in the Work of University Students

This study deals with the question of developing independence in the work of university students, which has been raised by the present-day social need for removing the disproportion between the requirements of the socialist society and the quality of university graduates. Present day conditions for the development of independent work of university students have been examined from the viewpoint of the students’ time-table. To compare conditions at the faculties of the university type and those of the technical type we have introduced a time-table index as an indicator of time conditions for independent study. Another criterion of independence in the studies is the grade attained by the students of the respective faculties. These two educational factors have been brought into correlation in order to find the answer to the question of whether there is a connection between the two phenomena under examination and how close it is. We further develop the method of fixing the coefficient of correlation in the educational process. By analysing the results we have drawn the conclusion that conditions for independent study are not yet fulfilled, neither on the part of the students nor by the university. The method of work hitherto practised and fixed by the secondary school must be gradually eliminated by insisting on problem-solving as a method in education, and by demanding such methods of work as lead to the development of independence. At the same time it is necessary to give attention to the training of teachers and make every effort to train the future teachers in the forms of independent study required at the university. Reducing the hours of compulsory instruction is undesirable at present. This, all by itself, would only result in lowering the standard and quality of work, which we want to raise. Special attention given to the training of teachers may bring the results expected. It is wrong to assume that independence is only developed at the university. Independence must be understood as one of the personality traits, which at various stages of the person’s ontogenetic development also attain different degrees of development.