Life Long Learning

Self Directed Learning

Educational Institutions and Self Directed Learning

For educational institutions and employers engaged in providing self-directed learning experiences, Hiemstra (1982, 1985) and Brockett and Hiemstra (1985) recommend the following:

The educational institutions should 

1. provide staff training on self-directed learning and broaden the opportunities for its implementation.

2. conduct research on learners' interests.

3. promote learning networks, study circles, and learning exchanges.

4. obtain the necessary tools to assess learners' current performance and to evaluate their expected performance.

5. recognize and reward learners when they have met their learning objectives.

Teachers and  Self-directed Learning

Several writers like Ash (1985), Bauer (1985), Brookfield (1985), and Cross (1978), have discussed the ways of facilitating self directed learning.

The teachers should be prepared to

1. become managers of the learning experience rather than be information providers;

2. provide the means to identify the needs and select the appropriate materials;

3. help learners identify the starting point and discern relevant modes of examination and reporting;

4. create a partnership with the learners by negotiating a learning contract for goals, strategies, and evaluation criteria;

5. encourage the setting of objectives that can be met in several ways and offer a variety of options for evidence of successful performance.

Pause and Ponder

    
      How can educational institutions facilitate self-directed learning?
    
      What kind of preparation do teachers need for self-directed learning?
    
      Is self-directed learning suitable for Indian contexts?