Self-Directed Learning Louis Grauer Post University Prof. Jill Buban

Understanding Self-Directed Learning  Self-Directed Learners cringe at the following “The minute adults walk into an activity labeled ‘education’, ‘training’ or anything synonymous, they hark back to their conditioning in their previous school experience, put on their dunce hats of dependency, fold their arms, sit back and say ‘teach me’” (Knowles, Holton III and Swanson 2005, p. 65).

Goal of Self- Directed Learning According to Merriam, Caffarella and Baumgartner (2009):  Goal One: enhance the ability to learn  Goal Two: transformational learning is the center of self-directed learning (SDL)  Goal Three: promotion of emancipatory learning

Dimensions of Self-Directed Learning 1) Think about thinking 2) Consider the Social Milieu 3) Are Influenced by participation Self-Directed Thinkers:

Self-Directed Learning Models  Linear models: “Self-directed learning as a process of learning, in which people take the primary initiative for planning, carrying out, and evaluating their own learning experiences” (Merriam et al, p. 110).  Interactive models: These models self-directed learning relies on “…two or more factors, such as opportunities people find in their environments, the personality characteristics of learners, cognitive processes, and the context of learning” (Merriam et al, 2009, p. 111)  Instructional models: These models help to combine traditional instruction with informal, self-directed learning in formal classroom setting (Merriam et al, 2009)

Moving from here To here  Pedagogy: The basis of organization for this country’s educational system  The art and science of teaching children  Assigns the teacher full responsibility for decision making  Andragogy: An integrated framework of adult learning  Adults maintain the concept of responsibility of their decision to learn Self-Directed Learning (Knowles et al, 2005)

Reference Page Knowles, M., Holton, E., & Swanson, R. (2005). The adult learner: the definitive classic in adult education and human resource development. (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Elsevier. Merriam, S. B., Caffarella, R. S., & Baumgartner, L. M. (2007). Learning in adulthood: A comprehensive guide. (3rd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Mikulak, A. (2012, October 4). What makes self-directed learning effective?. Retrieved from ses/what-makes-self-directed-learning-effective.html