SDL - Self Directed Learning PDF

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Self Directed Learning...

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1. What is a self-directed learner? What are the essential aspects of self-directed learning? Knowles (1975) explained that self-directed learning is "a process in which individuals take the initiative without the help of others in diagnosing their learning needs, formulating goals, identifying human and material resources, and evaluating learning outcomes", therefore, a self-directed learner is an individual that initiates a learning process without the need of people to tell him or her what they should learn, create goals and how they achieve their goals. According to the University of Waterloo (n.d), there are four key stages to independent learning: being ready to learn, setting learning goals, engaging in the learning process, and evaluating learning. The University also points out that for students to be successful in self-directed learning, they must be able to engage in self-reflection and self-evaluation of their learning goals and progress in a unit of study. Furthermore, students should evaluate their current situation, study habits, family situation, and support network both at school and at home and also involves evaluating past experiences with independent learning. Students need to understand themselves as learners in order to understand their needs as selfdirected learning students. Thus, readiness for self-directed learning includes being autonomous, organized, self-disciplined, able to communicate effectively, and able to accept constructive feedback and engage in self-evaluation and self -reflection.

2. What are your two biggest strengths as a student? How will these strengths help you become a self-directed learner?

My two biggest strengths as a student are my communication skills and my Curiosity and those strengths help to express myself and share my ideas freely and show what I have learned to my students or friends. I am the type of person that I don’t wait for the knowledge to knock at my door, I will look for it and curiosity helps me to get to the bottom of the topic through questions that I ask myself or my cat or my friends.

3. What are your two biggest weaknesses as a student? How do these affect your readiness to be a self-directed learner? My biggest weaknesses time managing and overthinking. I am trying to do so many things at the same time and I always end up doing nothing. I have this self-entitlement that I can do anything but I have never put time between tasks and trying to study, work, manage my personal life without timing them, it is causing me a lot of trouble because I am losing focus in all of the things I need to do and I start to overthink about everything and eventually I procrastinate, not intentionally because when I overthink, I self-doubt a lot and it leads to other problems and become my own saboteur.

4. Describe at least three strategies to become a more self-directed learner. How will you hold yourself accountable for your growth as a learner? Briggs (2015) suggested 20 steps to becoming a more self-directed learner but for me: Identify my learning goals, seek out interesting challenges, and cultivate intrinsic motivation. The reason I picked those strategies are that through identifying my goals I will be a constant reminder of the purpose of my studies; like a person that loves to be challenged, seeking out interesting challenges will help me to develop my critical thinking and help to find solutions to potential problems in my personal and professional life and by cultivating intrinsic

motivation will keep the fire of learning alive in me and share what I have learnt until now to my students, peers and future employees and pass the power of learning to them. Words: 522 without the questions

Reference: Briggs, S. (2015, May 3). 20 Steps Towards More Self-Directed Learning. Retrieved May 14, 2020, from https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/29-steps-toward-more-selfdirected-learning/ Manning, G. (2007, November 2). Self-Directed Learning: A Key Component of Adult Learning Theory | Business and Public Administration Studies. Retrieved May 11, 2020, from https://www.bpastudies.org/bpastudies/article/view/38/78

Self-Directed Learning: A Four-Step Process | Centre for Teaching. (2019, March 4). Retrieved May 14, 2020, from https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teachingresources/teaching-tips/tips-students/self-directed-learning/self-directed-learning-four-stepprocess M.S. Knowles, “Self-Directed Learning”, A Guide for Learners and Teachers. (N.Y. Cambridge Books 1975) p.18...