Self-Directed Learning Using Modules: Facts That You Should Know

Regina Sol R. Bacallo

Before delving into the function of a facilitator in self-directed learning, it is essential to highlight that enjoying this learning activity extends beyond the learner's technical capacity to create and carry out a learning experience on their own.

Most people devote a significant amount of effort to learning new skills and absorbing new knowledge. Such gains are required due to the speed of change, the constant production of new knowledge, and the ever-increasing access to information. Even when formal settings are available, most of this learning occurs on the learner's initiative. Self-directed learning is a popular term for this kind of activity. In essence, self-directed learning is defined as any kind of study in which people oversee organizing, executing, and even assessing the activity.

Several facts regarding self-directed learning are known: Individual learners can be empowered to take on increasing amounts of responsibility for various decisions related to the learning endeavor. Self-direction is best viewed as a continuum or characteristic that exists to some extent in every person and learning situation. Self-direction does not necessarily imply that all learning will take place in isolation from others and self-directed learners appear to be able to transfer learning, in terms of both knowledge and study skill, from one situation to another. The selfdirected study can include a variety of activities and resources, such as self-guided reading, participation in study groups, internships, electronic dialogues, and reflective writing activities

Perhaps most importantly, self-directed learning is practical! Many people succeed as self-directed learners when they would not have been able to if personal accountability for learning choices had not been available. Some may even flourish in ways they never imagined were achievable once they learn to accept personal responsibility. In many ways, future learners will need to become very self-directed throughout their lives to deal with the massive amount of information accessible to them.

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The author is Teacher III at Tarlac West Central Elementary School, West A District, Tarlac Schools City Division, Region III