What is Self-Directed Learning?

The most common practice when an individual or group decide they want to learn something is to seek the assistance of a teacher or professional instructor. These educators then teach those wishing to learn and supervise the process in which they do.

The alternative to this is for an individual learner to assume the primary responsibility of planning, initiating and conducting that learning project.

This is called self-directed learning. It is the process where people take the initiative, with or without the help of others, in diagnosing their own learning needs. They formulate learning goals and identify both the human and material resources they need to learn. They’ll choose and implement appropriate learning strategies and evaluate their learning outcomes.

This alternate way of approaching education broadens the concept of education itself. Now it encompasses more than just the transmission of knowledge from one person to another.

Self-directed learning, when done effectively, provides a pathway to deep understanding and efficacy. By being mindful of the ways it can appear and leveraging it as an integral part of our learning process, we can create a more meaningful learning experience.

It is a skill that will serve you well throughout your life. Since you will be able to set a goal and find out exactly what you need to do to get there.

In terms of distance learning, it gives you the framework you need to find the course that will get you to your end goal. Studying in a structured, well managed and productive way, while continually evaluating your progress. Identifying areas for improvement that may need additional support along the way.

Here are the four key stages of self-directed learning.

Assessing your Readiness to Learn

For successful independent study, you need to have various skills and attitudes towards learning.

If you’d class yourself as autonomous, organised, self-disciplined and you think you take criticism well, you sound like you’ll fit the bill. Though it’s not often we sit and take note of our character traits.

In this step you need to conduct an honest self-evaluation of your situation now. This will allow you to determine if in fact you are ready to take the plunge into self-directed learning. Consider your study habits, commitments, financial situation and support network and honestly assess if they would be a barrier to study.

Think over your prior experiences with autonomous learning. If these went well or badly, try to identify why and what you could do to improve this time around. This step isn’t trying to deter you, more help you see how realistic studying at this time will be.   

Setting Learning Goals

Setting goals in your studies is extremely important. The end goal or milestone could be finally getting that job you’ve always wanted or studying a university level. Figuring out the steps you need to complete to get there can make your course more manageable, and the goal seem more obtainable. It’ll keep you grounded and focussed on the end result.

Setting more granular learning goals too will help you to stay on track and assess how well you are performing in each module. Consider:

• What specific goals you have for each module in the course.
• Map out a structure around each assignment to cover all the material you need to study.
• Pinpoint the times you want each stage of coursework to be completed by.
• The resources that will help you achieve a good mark.
• Assess all feedback against your learning goals.
• Reflect and evaluate your performance.
• Identify where you can improve.

Having a framework like this in place helps you approach your studies in a controlled and organised fashion. Helping you to break it down and identify where your attention needs to be.

Engaging in the Learning Process

Self-directed learning is that which occurs when students explore, question, react and respond to educational materials relevant to their needs. To do this you must be engaged in the process. The only one who can complete the work to achieve your goal is you.

You must understand your approach to studying and be realistic in where you would place yourself. There are three different approach types:

The surface approach

You do the bare minimum, only learning what is required to pass each module. You can discuss the examples and explanations in the materials, but you haven’t got a good enough grasp of the topic to bring your own ideas to the table.  

The strategic approach

You’re focussed on doing what is necessary to get the highest possible mark. You’ll find out what is required to pass exams and put your energy into that. Whether it be memorising facts, practising past exams or reading example essays.

The deep approach

You want to know the subject back to front. You delve into the topic and learn far more than is required to complete the course. Your aim is to gain a thorough understanding of the concept so you can apply the knowledge in new and novel ways. Coming up with independent examples to explain it.

This approach can help you achieve excellent grades and is the ideal approach for self-directed learning. You’ll need these strong independent learning skills to complete your university studies. As surface or strategic approaches simply aren’t enough for successful independent study.

Evaluate Learning Progression

If you aren’t mindfully aware of where you are going, it is quite easy to lose track and end up far from where you want to be. Keeping check of yourself by taking the time to reflect on your progress, can keep you focused on self-improvement. Ensuring you’re completing your course to the best of your abilities.

Self-directed learners must use reflective thinking to effectively plan and gain insight into their performance. Otherwise, they won’t learn from their successes or mistakes. By processing these things, we can discover what we should repeat and what needs to be changed to perform more effectively going forward. Through reflection, we can make both good and bad experiences valuable. Learning lessons from them which will increase our confidence and abilities in the future.

Questions you can ask yourself regularly are:

• What did I learn?
• Can I apply that knowledge in multiple ways?
• Can I confidently explain the topic?
• Have I explored the topic enough?
• Is there anything I could have done differently?

Reflective thinking keeps us accountable and is powerful when used often.

Self-directed learning put the success of your education in your hands. Going hand in hand with distance learning since you choose to study at home, away from teachers and the structured classroom environment.

If you feel that you’re ready to learn, the next step is choosing the course that will put you on the path to your end goal.

Stonebridge Associated Colleges is one of the UK’s leading online learning providers. Offering a wide array of online learning courses like A Levels, Professionals Skills Qualifications and Access to Higher Education Diplomas.

Browse our range of fully accredited Access to Higher Education Diplomas by clicking the link below.