What is Self-Directed Learning?
Self-directed learning is based on research that shows:
People are hard-wired to learn
By nature, people are curious and passionate about learning. We are constantly exploring our world, making discoveries, and drawing conclusions. When curiosity is nurtured, learning is pleasurable.
When you’re interested in something, learning takes place
People more fully engage and interact with ideas and topics that interest them. This leads to deep, long-lasting learning.
Curating can be more effective than teaching
Providing a learner with many paths to explore a topic puts the learner to be in the driver’s seat. Some may prefer reading about a subject while others prefer watching a video or listening to a song. They might want to discuss with others, write about their thoughts, or create a project in response. When a person is able to engage in ways that are most compatible to their learning style and preferences, the learning is rich and meaningful.