Self-directed Learning
For the Learner
Adapted from Self-directed Learning: A Guide for Learners and Teachers by Malcolm S. Knowles (1975)
By Matt Bury | matbury.com
"Anything a learner should do and can do, and that we do for them, takes away an opportunity to learn responsibly and grow."
-- Adapted from a quote by Gene Bedely
For the Learner
- Setting a climate
- Diagnosing needs for learning
- Designing a learning plan
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For the Learner
- Why self-directed learning?
- What is self-directed learning? (Assumptions)
- What is self-directed learning? (Processes)
- What competencies are required for teacher-directed learning?
- What competencies are required for self-directed learning?
- What competencies are required for self-directed learning? (...continued)
- Designing a learning plan: The learning contract
- Designing a learning plan: Evaluating the learning contract
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Why self-directed learning?
- Mutual respect and understanding: Self-determination, autonomy, responsibility, and control
- Motivation: Learners are encouraged to be pro-active, curious, inquisitive, and self-motivated
- Personal growth: Self-directed learning is more closely in tune with our natural processes of cognitive and psychological development
- Necessary academic and professional skills: Self-directed learners perform better in high-schools, technical institutes, community colleges, college, universities, and professions.
- Learning how to learn: Learners increasingly must continue their learning beyond formal education and training as their professions and jobs change.
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What is self-directed learning?
Teacher-directed vs. self-directed : Assumptions
What is self-directed learning?
Teacher-directed vs. self-directed: Processes
What competencies are required for teacher-directed learning?
In teacher-directed learning, learners should*:
- Listen attentively
- Take careful notes
- Read speedily with good comprehension
- Predict exam questions and cram for them
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*Typical responses from learners to the question, "What competencies are required to excel at learning?"
What competencies are required for self-directed learning?
In self-directed learning, learners should:
- Understand the differences in assumptions about learners and the skills required for learning under teacher-directed learning and self-directed learning, and be able to explain these differences to others.
- Have a concept of themselves as being a non-dependent and self-directing person.
- Relate to peers collaboratively, see them as resources for diagnosing needs, planning learning, and learning; and give them help and receive help from them.
- Diagnose their own learning needs realistically, with help from teachers and peers.
- Translate learning needs into learning objectives in a form that makes it possible for their accomplishments to be assessed.
(continued...)
What competencies are required for self-directed learning?
(...continued)
- Relate to teachers as facilitators, helpers, or consultants, and take the initiative in making use of their resources.
- Identify human and material resources appropriate to different kinds of learning objectives.
- Select effective strategies for making use of learning resources and perform these strategies skillfully and with initiative.
- Collect and validate evidence of the accomplishment of various kinds of learning objectives.
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Designing a learning plan: The learning contract
Learners should specify:
- Learning objectives
- Learning resources and strategies
- Evidence of accomplishment
- Criteria and means of validating evidence
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Designing a learning plan: Evaluating the learning contract
In small groups, learners should reflect on and discuss the following questions:
- Are the learning objectives clear, understandable, and realistic?
- Can your peers think of other objectives you might consider?
- Do the learning strategies seem reasonable?
- Can your peers think of other resources and strategies you might consider?
- Does the evidence seem relevant to the various objectives?
- Can your peers suggest other evidence you might consider?
- Are the criteria and means for validating the evidence clear, relevant, and convincing?
- Can your peers think of other ways to validate the evidence you might consider?
From the responses you get from your peers, you may wish to modify your contract.