Self-directed Learning

Written Assignment Unit 5: self-directed learning

University of the People

UNIV 1001 Online Education Strategies

John Smith, Instructor

October 10, 2020

Self-directed Learning

A self-directed learner according to Davidoff KATJAA and Piñeiro CAROLA is someone who

learns how to learn by self-monitoring his progress with the ability of higher-order thinking that

enables understanding, analysis, and control. I think that the essential aspect of self-directed

learning is:

1- Learner specify what he has to learn. In self-directed learning, there is a change in the control of

the learning from teacher to student. This fact allows the student to be responsible for what they

have to learn, not only encouraging the interest that those may have on different subjects, this

method strengthens the decision-making power of the learner.

2- Learner specify what they want to achieve. The goal of learning is to reach an objective which

can be translated into a skill, a knowledge a competency who is wanted by the learner. Knowledge

can have several levels, by setting goals the learner knows what he is pursuing.

3- Identifying human and material resources for learning. learning requires the use of tools such as

books, projects, exercises and also people able to transmit the knowledge sought.

therefore the learner needs to identify these resources to support his learning.

4- Evaluating your learning. the learner must also know how to self-assess. Keeping motivation in

learning is an important factor, but without a coherent evaluation, it would be difficult to know how

close we are to our goals.

My biggest strengths as a student Enthusiasm and Creativity. For me, enthusiasm and

creativity can derive from several other qualities. Enthusiasm can be defined as the will to learn, it

helps me stay motivated. Thanks to this I can continue to progress. As part of self-directed learning,
Self-directed Learning

this pushes me to all the resources available to achieve my goals. Creativity is an element that helps

solve certain difficulties. Indeed some problems do not have known solutions or at hand, in this case,

being creative is a good approach. In self-directed learning, we can be confronted with this kind of

problems. Connections between self-directed learning and creativity have been reconfirmed in a

study made by the University of Tennessee. "Creative activity could be described as a type of

learning process where the teacher and pupil are located in the same individual" (Koestler, 1 964).

Therefore I conclude this paragraph by saying that we cannot dissociate creativity to self-directed

learning.

If I have some strength to be a student learner I have unfortunately some weakness too. My

weakness is procrastination and distraction. Procrastination is not a problem linked to self-directed

learning but a problem which affects all human activities. Being disciplined in learning is not easy for

everyone, so we tend to put things off later. Besides, distractions even though I have cited them as a

second weakness can be considered a cause of procrastination. These two factors often put me out

of time in achieving my goals, they are enemies of self-directed learning.

To become a self-directed learner I devote the following three strategies:

First I must have the ability to be neutral. Having pre-established beliefs can affect the ability for

self-directed learning. Critical thinking can help me in this quest. By proceeding thus I authorize

myself to access any kind of information who can then serve me.

Secondly, I should allow myself to dream. Dreaming helps to enrich creativity, define goals and

create motivation. Without a dream every stain becomes boring and the goal to be achieved

becomes uncertain.

Finally, I have to synthesize what I'm learning. According to Tony Buzzan in his book headfirst,

everything is connected between her, I share this point of view. Therefore I think that the learning
Self-directed Learning

must be the object of synthesis to allow the learner a better understanding and better

memorization.

(625 words)

REFERENCES

Davidoff KATJAA, Piñeiro CAROLA. (n.d). 3rd International Conference on Higher

Education Advances, HEAd’17Universitat Polit`ecnica de Val`encia, Val`encia, 2017DOI:

http://dx.doi.org/10.4995/HEAd17.2017.5631

University of Tennessee.(n.d). The Relationship Between Creativity and SelfDirected

Learning Among Adult Community College Student. Doctoral dissertation.

Tony Buzan.(April,2002). 10 way to get into your natural genius. Head First.