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Topic Twelve: Embracing self-directed learning
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this reading you will be able to:
1. Describe why accepting responsibility for one’s learning needs to be an intrinsic motivation
2. Explain how neuroscience research supports active learning
3. Explain the meaning of the sentence: The one who sustains focus on learning a skill will eventually learn it.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this reading you will be able to:
1. Describe why accepting responsibility for one’s learning needs to be an intrinsic motivation
2. Explain how neuroscience research supports active learning
3. Explain the meaning of the sentence: The one who sustains focus on learning a skill will eventually learn it.
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Conceptual Framework: Having a self-directed commitment to life-long learning
In order for learning to be retained there are specific actions, within each learners, that can be utilized to facilitate the process. The first step is to focus attention of what you want to remember. This means involving your five senses in the moment. Memory is triggered by how engaged one is in the experience of the moment of exposure to learning. The more our five senses are stimulated during the learning process, the greater the chance of transferring the information from short-term to long-tern memory. The key to active learning is in being a self-directed learner.
Doyle, T. (2011). Learner-centered teaching. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
In order for learning to be retained there are specific actions, within each learners, that can be utilized to facilitate the process. The first step is to focus attention of what you want to remember. This means involving your five senses in the moment. Memory is triggered by how engaged one is in the experience of the moment of exposure to learning. The more our five senses are stimulated during the learning process, the greater the chance of transferring the information from short-term to long-tern memory. The key to active learning is in being a self-directed learner.
Doyle, T. (2011). Learner-centered teaching. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
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Example
When I was a young child, I was labeled the slowest learner in my class. Throughout elementary school, that was my plight. Perhaps, some would think that is a tragedy for a little boy. However, it just taught me to be independent and not compare myself to others. I used my whole body to learn, instead of just utilize visual or auditory stimuli. As a hyperactive child, I had a need to touch everything and smell everything that I saw. Because my learning style was so different from most of the rest of the class, it was great training for me to become a self-directed learner, instead of following what others did.
When I was a young child, I was labeled the slowest learner in my class. Throughout elementary school, that was my plight. Perhaps, some would think that is a tragedy for a little boy. However, it just taught me to be independent and not compare myself to others. I used my whole body to learn, instead of just utilize visual or auditory stimuli. As a hyperactive child, I had a need to touch everything and smell everything that I saw. Because my learning style was so different from most of the rest of the class, it was great training for me to become a self-directed learner, instead of following what others did.
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Positive support for learners
The most powerful lesson a student can learn is how to be a self-directed learner. However, it is also important to be able learn in a group. Collaborative learning is a way to reinforce learning because the verbal interaction that goes along with learning in a group will reinforce memory for learning due to the stimulus of listening and speaking with others that provides additional input for learning. Active verbal communication reinforces learning by forcing reflective thinking.
The most powerful lesson a student can learn is how to be a self-directed learner. However, it is also important to be able learn in a group. Collaborative learning is a way to reinforce learning because the verbal interaction that goes along with learning in a group will reinforce memory for learning due to the stimulus of listening and speaking with others that provides additional input for learning. Active verbal communication reinforces learning by forcing reflective thinking.
Self-Assessment
1. When you were a child, did you have trouble “fitting in” at school? What did you do about it?
2. As a child, what was your primary modality for responding to your environment?
3. As an adult, do you see yourself as a life-long learner? Explain your answer.
1. When you were a child, did you have trouble “fitting in” at school? What did you do about it?
2. As a child, what was your primary modality for responding to your environment?
3. As an adult, do you see yourself as a life-long learner? Explain your answer.