1.
Knowles defined self-directed learning as a process in which individuals take the initiative in
assessing their learning requirements, establishing objectives, discovering human and material
resources, and evaluating learning results without the assistance of others (Knowles, 1975).
Therefore, a self-directed learner is an individual that initiates a learning process without the
need of people to tell him or her that they should learn, create goals and how they achieve their
goals. According to the University of Waterloo (n.d), there are four key stages to independent
learning: being ready to learn, setting learning goals, engaging in the learning process, and
evaluating learning.
Furthermore, students should assess their present environment, study habits, family status, and
support network both at school and at home, as well as previous experiences with independent
learning. Students must first understand themselves as learners before they can comprehend their
requirements as self-directed learners. Thus, being autonomous, organized, self-disciplined, able
to communicate effectively, and ready to receive constructive criticism and participate in self-
evaluation and self-reflection all contribute to preparation for self-directed learning.
2.
My two biggest strengths as a student are my communication skills and my Curiosity and
those strengths help me to express myself and share my ideas freely and show what I have
educated to my students or friends. I'm the sort of person who doesn't wait for information to
come knocking. Instead, I go out and get it. Curiosity helps me get to the bottom of an issue by
asking questions of myself, my cat, or my friends.
3.
My biggest weaknesses are time managing and overthinking. I attempt to accomplish too many
things at once and usually end up doing nothing. I have this sense of entitlement that I can do
anything, but I've never put time between tasks, and trying to study, work, and manage my
personal life without timing them is causing me a lot of trouble because I'm losing focus on all of
the things I need to do, and I start to overthink about everything, and eventually I procrastinate,
not intentionally because when I overthink, I self-doubt a lot, which leads to other problems and
becoming my own saboteur.
4.
Identify my learning goals, seek out interesting challenges, and cultivate intrinsic motivation.
The reason I picked those strategies are that through identifying my goals I will be a constant
notice of the determination of my lessons. As someone who enjoys being challenged, seeking out
interesting challenges will help me to develop my critical thinking and find solutions to potential
problems in my personal and professional life, and cultivating intrinsic motivation will keep the
fire of learning alive in me and allow me to share what I have learned thus far with my students,
peers, and future employees, passing on the power of learning to them.
Words: 460
Reference:
Briggs, S. (2015, May 3). 20 Steps Towards More Self-Directed Learning. Retrieved May 14,
2020, from [Link]
selfdirected-learning/
Manning, G. (2007, November 2). Self-Directed Learning: A Key Component of Adult
Learning Theory | Business and Public Administration Studies. Retrieved May 11, 2020,
from [Link]
Self-Directed Learning: A Four-Step Process | Centre for Teaching. (2019, March 4).
Retrieved May 14, 2020, from
[Link]
students/self-directed-learning/self-directed-learning-four-stepprocess
M.S. Knowles, “Self-Directed Learning”, A Guide for Learners and Teachers. (N.Y.
Cambridge Books 1975) p.18
