Student Directed Learning
When I hear this phrase, it makes me wonder about schools. Why do schools have to think about how to make students self-directed? Why don’t schools believe that students are already self-directed? The answer:
The content or delivery is boring!
How many adults do you know sit in a room, in rows, not able to speak unless called on? How many adults shuffle down the hallways in straight lines, with mouths closed? None that I know of – yet we subject students to this all the time. We make school not fun, all for the idea of educating all!
When I taught third grade, we did not have desks, but tables to spark collaboration. We learned with projects or problems. We learned from each other through writing journals. We practiced our skills in a fun way. We had lights that were not those obtrusive fluorescent overhead lights. We had futons and carpets and student work all over the place. I tried to make my classroom inviting!
So, getting back to the student directed learning bit. All a teacher has to do is slow down, thoroughly plan out a unit, make the learning authentic and enjoyable – and students will be self-directed.
Now, excuse me, I want to go answer the questions at the end of the chapter, and oh, yeah, I better make sure that my writing is in cursive – or I will get points off.
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I am an Educational Computing Strategist (ECS). I figure out ways to IMPROVE education with technology. 
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August 11th, 2007 at 9:20 am
Right on, Chris. Everyone is a self-directed learner when the motivation for learning is there. We are too much about “getting everything done” and not nearly enough about real learning.