Self directed learning (SDL)

“SELF DIRECTED LEARNING”"NO MATTER HOW GOOD TEACHING MAY BE,

EACH STUDENT MUST TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS OWN EDUCATION"

Presented by : Sangita Shrestha

Roll no. 14B.Sc. Nursing

4th Year.

Contents:

• Introduction • Definition• Purposes • Advantages• Disadvantages • Process • Selection criteria

Introduction:

• Self activity as the basic principle of learning is universal in its application. An individual can learn only through her own reactions to situations. There can be no learning where there has been no self activity. This principle of self activity may be stated simply: A student learns through her own activities.

• The process of learning in which the learner assumes primary responsibility for planning, implementing, and evaluating a learning project. The learner chooses what to learn and how to learn, and also decides when to continue and when to end the learning project.

• A process in which individuals take the initiative, with or without the help of others, to diagnose their learning goals, identify resources for learning, select and implement learning strategies, and evaluate learning outcomes.

• It is also known as adult learning.

Definition:

• Self-directed learning as a “process in which individuals take initiative, with or without the help of others, in diagnosing their own learning needs, formulating goals, identifying human and material resources for learning, choosing and implementing appropriate learning strategies and evaluating learning outcomes.”

- Malcolm Knowles, 1975• Self directed learning (SDL) views learners as responsible owners

and managers of their own learning process. Self directed learning integrates self management (Management of context, including the social setting, resources and action) with self monitoring (the process whereby the learners monitor, evaluate and regulate their cognitive learning strategies).

-Bolhuis, 1996 & Garrison, 1997.

Con…In self directed learning, control gradually shifts from teachers to learners. Learners exercise a great deal of independence in setting learning goals and deciding what is worthwhile learning as well as how to approach the learning task within a given framework.

-Lyman, 1997 & Morrow, Sharkey & Firestone, 1993.Self directed learning is a process in which the learner initiating learning making decisions about what and How to learn self in order to achieve a particular task.

- Neema Baskar

Purposes:

• To plan and participate in one’s own learning activities.• To develop the capacity of learning and thinking of learner.• To develop the sense of independence by enhancing

emancipatory learning.• To develop the problem solving approaches.• To develop time management skills.• To develop desicion making skills.

Process:

It involves a continual process of: self -motivationself-management self-monitoring self-modification

Self - motivation:

• Motivation affects the learning strategies and cognitive processes an individual employs (Dweck & Elliott, 1983). It increases the likelihood that people will pay attention to something, study and practice it, and try to learn it in a meaningful fashion. It also increases the likelihood that they will seek help when they encounter difficulty.

• Motivation directs an individual toward certain goals and fulfill their objectives.

Self - management :

Establishes clear goals Thoroughly gathers information Persistently stays with a task Uses a systematic approach to problem solving,

organizational planning, and decision-making.Uses articulate, thoughtful communication Continuous process

Self - monitoring :

Consideration of the ramifications of thoughts, plans, decisions, and actions

Metacognition - the process of consciously monitoring one’s own thinking

Self -reflection - process of reflecting on one’s own thinking patterns, plans, decisions, and actions.

Self -evaluation

Self - modification

Revises strategies and implies a great effort to maximize his/her effectiveness based on feedback

Changes in one’s behavior based on the data gathered during self-monitoring and on feed back received from others.

Self-directed Learning Model

Steps of SDL:

1. Deciding what detailed knowledge and skill to learn;2. Deciding the specific activities, methods, resources, or

equipment for learning;3. Deciding where to learn;4. Setting specific deadlines or intermediate targets;5. Deciding when to begin a learning episode;6. Deciding the pace at which to proceed during a learning

episode;7. Estimating the current level of knowledge and skill and

progress in gaining the desired knowledge and skill;

Cont… 8. Detecting any factor that has been backing or hindering

learning;9. Obtaining the desired resources or equipment;10. Preparing or adapting a room;11. Saving or obtain the money necessary for the use of

certain human or nonhuman resources;12. Finding time for the learning; and13. Taking certain steps to increase the motivation for

learning.

Knowles’ 4 Principles Of Andragogy

• In 1984, Knowles suggested 4 principles that are applied to adult learning:

• Adults need to be involved in the planning and evaluation of their instruction.

• Experience (including mistakes) provides the basis for the learning activities.

• Adults are most interested in learning subjects that have immediate relevance and impact to their job or personal life.

• Adult learning is problem-centered rather than content-oriented. (Kearsley, 2010)

SKILL NEEDED TO AN EFFECTIVE SELF DIRECTED LEARNING

• Goal setting skills.• Processing skills.• Decision making skills.• Self awareness.• Content competence• Other cognitive skills

GOAL SETTING SKILLS• Here the individual identifies the problem rather than

developing a cognitive ability to engage in problem identification and solving.

• They have a good observation skills and ability to determine what is important in their learning environment.

PROCESSING SKILLS• Observing- the ability to see and understand.• Seeing and translating- the ability to translate visual

information to notes and records.• Reading -the ability to read ,translate and compared written

material• Listing -the ability to receive and process aural information

and related it is existing information schemes.

DECISION MAKING SKILLS • This denotes the learners thinking ability. • learner must develop the ability to identify, prioritize; select

validate, evaluate and interpret information obtained through processing.

SELF AWARENESS• The successful self directed learner has the ability to be

aware self.• It enables the individuals to be aware of their learning

processes their weakness and strengths to know of their ability to use different in their environment,

• To know when, how and what is distracting in their environment.

• To know when they need assistance, and to have a realistic perception of their ability to achieve learning goal.

CONTENT COMPETENCE• Here some personal observation indicates that people

skilled in certain areas tend to emphasize those while avoiding topics and activities in areas in which they are less competent.

• for example one who knows the own language may learn another language based on first language.

OTHER CONGNITIVE SKILLS• other cognitive skills appear to be associated with self

directed learning success. They are-• Sensory- including ability to select, identify and classify

information • Memory- working memory is important in the processing of

information before it is assimilated into existing long-term memory.

• Elaboration-includes the ability to taken item from working memory and process it by imaging, deducing, discriminating generalizing etc.

Advantages:

• Self-directed learning allows learners to be more effective learners and social beings.

• It enhances the ability to think and learn.• It promotes emancipatory learning process.• Self-directed learners are curious and willing to try new things.• They can view problems as challenges, desire change, and enjoy

learning.• Self-directed learners are motivated and persistent, independent, self-

disciplined, self-confident and goal-oriented. • self-directed learners demonstrate a greater awareness of their

responsibility in making learning meaningful and monitoring themselves.

• Self-directed learning encourages students to develop their own rules and leadership patterns.

Cont…• SDL is more deep and permanent.• It helps to develop time management skills.• It helps to identify the requirements for a problem solving

process.• It increases self esteem.• Helps in decision making.• It promotes self awareness.

Disadvantages:

• Research have proved that some adults are unable to engage in self directed learning because they lack independence, confidence or resources.

• Possible for frequent error and sometimes it misguides the student how to learn.

• Self directed learning needs to be combined with other learning methods for content to be fully learned.

• Self directed learning is quite time consuming.• It lacks team spirit.

APPLICATION OF SELF DIRECTED LEARNING IN NURSING EDUCATION ?

 • Individual projects:- A student undertake research

projects individually by the guidance of the teacher, the projects are completed. The projects are where the students take up and in varied settings.

• Case studies:- Case study as a method of teaching probably has been used in the teaching of nursing more extensively and for longer time than any other method. The case study describes the life history of an individual or all of the factors which affect a situation. It tries to give as much breadth and depth of an individual in situation.

Selection criteria:

• The learner should be enthusiastic.• The materials should be available and appropriate.• Guide or advisor should be available if needed.• Learner should be physically and mentally healthy.• Learner should be able to select the tools and methods that

they use, the technologies that could be used to support the approach are largely dependent on the students.

• Working collaboratively with others (people and resources).

Conclusion:• A process in which individuals take the initiative, with or

without the help of others, to diagnose their learning goals, identify resources for learning, select and implement learning strategies, and evaluate learning outcomes. its purposes are to boost up the critical thinking and learning and learn permanently. It has more advantages than disadvantages.

• As everything is controversial, it is the deep and permanent method of learning.

Bibliography:

• B. T. Basavanthappa, “Nursing Education”, 2nd edition, 2009, Jaypee Brothers, Medical Publishers, New Delhi, page no. 513-515.

• Shrestha. R., A Textbook Of Educational Science in Nursing, 1st edition, vidhyarthi pustak bhandar,bhotahity, kathmandu, page no. 96-100.

• http://www.slideshare.net/LouisGrauer/self-directed-learning-15797490

• http://www.slideshare.net/tjcarter/what-is-self-directed-learning?from_action=save

• http://www.slideshare.net/jashya/self-directed-learning-13753232?from_action=save