A Research On Self Directed Learning

My SRL (self-regulated learning) survey suggests that I am prepared for online courses. My overall scores for Metacognition, Strategies, and Motivation were all rated high. My SRL feedback breaks down each of the three scores to a subsection, each subsection gives you detailed analysis on how you should do while attending WGU. I plan on taking the feedback from my SRL and applying to make my studying habits, testing skills, and my new motivation to excel even further in my school career.

There are several aspects that would describe a self-directed, intrinsically motivated, active learner, such as those who are curious and persistent about acquiring knowledge. Most of the time, people who are curious take initiative to seek higher education and accept the responsibilities that come with studying and test taking to acquire the knowledge they seek. Those who accept the responsibility of learning a new skill takes the initiative to organize their time to dedicate to that education and set a pace to reach their end goal for the educational structure. By using basic learning skills, self-directed learners look at problems as challenges and embrace the mindset of self-growth. Self-directed learners are self-reliant and enjoy learning on a regular basis.

In my self-regulated learning survey results, I learned my strong points in the way I learn and the way I prepare myself to learn. I received a high range in most categories. One high area was metacognition. Metacognition is defined as thinking about your thinking, according to DAACS. It involves being aware of your thoughts and controlling how you approach learning. I am aware of my strengths and weaknesses; therefore, I believe this analysis is true. I know how to fully make myself receptive to what I am learning. I tend to like to plan and prepare myself for what is to come. Another strong area was strategy. Strategies are the procedures people use to enhance their learning, according to DAACS. It connects with planning and knowing your

On the other hand, Printich (2000) integrated motivational constructs and developed a general framework of self-regulated learning. There were four phases to this framework, forethought, monitoring, control and reflection phase. Under each of the phases, different self-regulatory activities from contextual, behavioral, motivational, affective and cognitive areas were listed. Boekearts (1997), described self-regulation as the parallel process of purposeful action used by students to meet their two priorities, growth goals and emotional wellbeing goals (Boekearts & Corno, 2005; Puustinen & Pulkkinen, 2010). Finally, Zimmerman (1989), described self-regulated learning through the lens of Bandura socio-cognitive theory. Zimmerman (2002) described self-regulated learning as a cyclic process which consists of three phases: forethought, performance, and reflection. For the purpose of this paper, the focus is on examining forethought process of self-regulated learning described by Zimmerman

M1: Assess the impact of key influences on the personal learning process on own learning -

As with the development of many new ideas, self-directed learning has created some confusion in that many related concepts are often used either interchangeable or in similar ways. Examples include self-education (Hosmer (1847), Dickinson & Clark, 1975, Smith 1976, Snedden 1930); self-directed learning; self-planned learning (Tough 1966); self-instruction (Johnstone &Rivera 1965, Smith 1976); individual learning (Smith 1976); autonomous learning (Houle 1962, Miller 1964, Moore 1980, Smith 1976); independent study or independent learning (Jourard 1967, Moore 1972); and self-access learning (Dickinson 1987). Yet these terms offer varied, though often subtly different, emphases. To illustrate these differences, several views of self-direction can be compared and contrasted.

When it comes to the topic of education, most of us will readily agree that as students, we need to be dedicated learners. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of how we should be educated. Some are convinced that we need to stick with what is currently in place. From this perspective, it is completely unnecessary to do something different if the method being used works. However, others maintain that we need to change. According to this view, people need to move away from what we are comfortable and familiar with in order to be better students. In sum, then, the issue is whether we should keep how our education works the same or not.

There are many factors that can have an influence on my learning. One of them is my friends. My friends can influence my learning by distracting me during lessons and also by helping me to catch up on work. In some ways, friends can motivate me because they encourage me to do my work and to get my assignments done on time. They also motivate me because they assist me with my work when I need it instead of waiting to ask a tutor which cannot be done as easily; I can easily call a friend. Friends have a positive influence on me because they are aware of the things that I am doing so that they know what I should be working on, mainly because my friends are all doing the same course as me. A negative affect that they have on my learning is

Self-directed learning focuses on the process by which adults take control of their own learning, in particular how they set their own learning goals, locate appropriate resources, decide on which learning methods to use and evaluate their progress. Furthermore, self-directed learners are highly motivated, independent, and strive toward self-direction and autonomy. They take the initiative to diagnose their learning needs, formulate learning goals, identify resources for learning, implement learning strategies, and evaluate learning outcomes. The following is a reflection on an interview I did with my best friend Steve regarding self-directed learning.

Independent learning is that learning in which the learner, in conjunction with relevant others, can make the decisions necessary to meet the learner’s own learning needs. (Kesten, 1987, p3). Independent learning is an important aspect of student’s life. According to self-regulated learning theories identified by Zimmerman (2001),"motivation, self-awareness, key processes, social and environmental influences and acquisition of self-regulated learning "are essential factors of independent learning. This essay will cover various aspects of independent learning. Such as, what does independent learning skills imply? How independent learning can be developed in the university and how does it benefit students in higher education.

On the aspect of key learning through self reflection, I have identified and wll share the folloiwng areas for professional growth. Through the course of leading module-subject coaching. I would recommend:

As we discussed in class, motivation plays an intrinsic role in creating successful self-directed learning. Those who practice this form of learning, in various ways, are driven by personal or external incentives, such as the desire to learn something, or simply for curiosity 's sake, self-esteem and self-efficiency. Because of this self-directed learners are known to take initiative, view issues as challenges to overcome, become confident, have a desire to evolve, and appreciate and seek out learning opportunities (Taylor, 1995).

Do we ask ourselves why we go to school everyday? Why we must be educated? Why we are learning? The answers are clearly understandable because everyone has his/her own particular reason. One person would like to get a job; one would like to come up with something new; another would like to invent something that has not existed before. Simply, no one can accept being without a job or an education. I would introduce my personal theory as a Self-Based-Learning (SBL), which is a pedagogical learning theory that occurs personally by someone who is able to synthesize a group of actions that can help him/her to learn naturally. Learning on your own can happen by focusing on three approaches of theories that are problem-based learning, constructivism theory, and self-directed learning. The SBL theory can influence society, human performance, and education. The learner will be the center of knowledge that will interact with multiple aids that assist him/her to become an expert or inventor. Those aids are informal learning, formal learning, and collective learning. The SBL theory will take place under instructor/teacher supervision in order to keep the learners on track. Furthermore, the teacher should aim and motivate the learners’ achievements, performance and outcomes. Self-based learning is a strategy supported by multiple learning theories; each one of these theories should be interpreted to clarify the concepts of my personal theory, which is self-based learning strategy.

Everyone deserves a voice. Nevertheless, the misfortune falls upon those who do not know what to say or how to express it. I believe the root to self-discovery derives from learning. First you learn the basics of life which surrounds you, and, second, you learn to look inward for inspiration. Teaching will give me the chance to share my voice as well as the ability to guide young minds into finding their own.

We are able to begin to develop abilities in self-directed-studying during our first-year in the college, to be an effective student. We will be spending a considerable time getting information and learning the continuous creation of new information, new skills due to the fast pace of change in culture and technology, and an access to info. Much with this learning will happen at our own initiative. We as a person will have the main responsibility for implementing, planning, and even appraising our learning effort. This what we should understand as self-directed learning.