Education -- Self-Directed Learning Issue Section I-Self-Directed Learning:

(1) What is the connection between self-directed learning in what and how we learn?

According to Knowles, self-directed learners typically learn more broadly (i.e. they learn more things); they learn more effectively; they bring a higher level of motivation to learn; and they tend to retain and apply what they learn more than do people who learn through more formal or traditional means. In the most general sense, self-directed learning is a form of active learning, and therefore, more effective than traditional learning processes that rely almost exclusively on passive learning. More particularly, Knowles also suggested that self-directed learning is more consistent with the overall direction of adult psychological development in the sense that it is an aspect of self-sufficiency and self-responsibility.

(2) Can or should all learning be self-directed, why or why not?

No. Effective self-learning generally requires that learners be appropriately mature, motivated, and self-reflective to reap the greatest benefit from self-directed learning. Naturally, those prerequisites are not met by many learners, particularly those who are not yet mature adults. Another circumstance in which self-directed learning is impractical is learning involving specific subject matter that is simply too complex or not otherwise conducive to self-learning strictly as a function of the subject matter itself and/or of the specific processes through which certain skills or knowledge are best acquired from others who are more knowledgeable and experienced in the field.

(3) Discuss the three types of self-directed learning process models?

Knowles discussed three types of self-directed learning models: linear, interactive and instructional. The linear model refers to the process of deliberately planning or mapping out concrete steps toward the goal of acquiring a specific set of skills or information. Generally, the linear model also refers to the orderly progression of the component...

An example of linear self-directed learning would be an individual who decides that he would like to learn how to maintain and repair his own automobile instead of relying on professional mechanics. He might set out to learn, practice, and master one mechanical system at a time. Moreover, he would most likely start with less complex systems and those that function in relative isolation from other systems before gradually progressing to more and more complex systems and to those that are directly connected to other systems in complex ways.
The interactive model refers to the interaction between the self-directed learner and his or her external environment, available resources, and natural abilities and tendencies. An example of the interactive model of self-directed learning would be Himalayan Sherpa who is born and raised in the mountainous regions of the word that have drawn the interest of Western explorers for generations. The individual is born into a society where many make their living as Sherpas and would naturally become relatively expert in understanding cold weather mountain climate patterns and snowfall by virtue of living in that environment. Quite possibly, the individual could also have inherent physical of physiological idiosyncrasies that are genetically based as a function of natural selection within societies that have evolved over hundreds of generations in the same area.

The instructional model refers to a slower transitional process in which the learner starts off initially as relatively dependent on a teacher before progressing through the stages of becoming a more interested and motivated (but still somewhat dependent) learner, an involved learner beginning to explore independently but still in need of assistance, and finally, to a fully self-directed learner who is capable of planning out and executing a continuing learning strategy. An example of the instructional model of the transition into fully self-directed learning would be…