Tips for Raising Self Directed Learners

Self-directed learning is a process by which individuals take the initiative, with or without the assistance of others, in diagnosing their learning needs, formulating learning goals, identifying human and material resources for learning, and evaluating learning outcomes- Malcolm Knowles.

Self directed learning is not just limited to academic learning; it is learning and exploring any curiosity that a child may have. Self directed learning comprises of activities like reading a book, creating an experiment, discussions and any other activity that may provide a learning experience. 

Self directed learning allows for a broad scope of enhancing your knowledge. This learning may include revising a topic already taught in class, learning a topic of the new semester or learning about any issue of the day. Self directed learning is not for grades but for knowledge as rightly opined by Socrates, “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” 

Here are a few tips for self directed learning;

• Identify your learning goals.
• Question the significance of things.
• Seek out interesting challenges.
• Monitor your own learning process.
• Understand your own approach.
• Start with background on a topic.
• Create something out of what you’ve learned.
• Build your own personal learning syllabus.
• Pursue knowledge, not good grades.
• Make a list of topics “to master.”
• Practise using what you’ve learned.
• Value progress over performance.

It is the responsibility of parents to inculcate such habits in children from early stages by encouraging curiosity, identifying their interests, pick a theme, discussing the goals and then evaluating the progress, allowing children to find their own answers, be it through books or internet, creating a balance of study and play time, encouraging hobbies etc. 

To explore about self directing learning, visit the links below.

http://www.flippedclassroomworkshop.com/7-activities-to-develop-self-directed-learning/

https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teaching-tips/tips-students/self-directed-learning/self-directed-learning-learning-contracts