DEFINITION OF SELF DIRECTED LEARNING:

Gibbons( 2002) stated that “SDL is any increase in knowledge, skill, accomplishment, or
personal development that an individual selects and brings about by his or her own efforts
using any method in any circumstances at any time”

Knowles( 1975) defines Self-Directed learning (SDL) as “a process in which individual take the
initiative, with or with out the help of other, to diagnose their learning needs, formulate learning
goals, identify resources for learning, select and implement learning strategies, and evaluate
learning outcomes” .

PRINCIPLES OF SELF DIRECTED LEARNING:

1. An SDL should be congruent with lifelong , natural and individual
learning drives.
2. The self directed learning should be adapted to the maturation,
transformations and transitions experienced by students
3. The self directed learning should be concerned with all aspects of a full
life.
4. Self directed learning should employ a full range of human capacities,
including senses, emotions and actions as well as intellects
5. The Self directed learning activities should be conducted in settings
suited to their development
PROCESS OF SELF DIRECTED LEARNING:

Knowles has given the five step model for process of self directed learning model.. “His five-
step model of self-directed learning consists of:

1. Diagnosing learning needs

2. Formulating learning goals
3. Identifying human and material resources for learning
4. Choosing and implementing appropriate learning strategy
5. Evaluation learning out come”

SKILLS FOR SELF DIRECTED LEARNING:

Six kinds of skills appear to be particularly important in successful self-directed learning. They
are as follows:
 Goal setting skills
 Information Processing skills
  Some competence or aptitude in the topic or a closely related area
 Decision making skills
 Self-awareness
 Self-confidence
 Inner directed
 Achievement motivated

ROLE OF TEACHER IN SELF DIRECTED LEARNING:

 Teach inquiry skills, decision making, personal development, and self-evaluation of work.
 Help learners develop positive attitudes and feelings of independence relative to learning.
 Help learners acquire the needs assessment techniques necessary to discover what objectives
they should set.
 Help the learner identify the starting point for a learning project and discern relevant modes
of examination and reporting.
 Make sure that learners are aware of the objectives, learning strategies, resources, and
evaluation criteria once they are decided upon.
 Teach inquiry skills, decision making, personal development, and self-evaluation of work.
 Help match resources to the needs of learners.
 Help learners locate resources.
 Encourage critical thinking skills .
 Create an atmosphere of openness and trust to promote better performance

ADVANTAGES OF SELF DIRETED LEARNING:

1.Self-directed learning allows learners to be more effective learners.
2.SDL helps the learner to develop the sense of responsibility.
3.Self-directed learning can encourage students to develop their own rules and leadership
patterns.
4.It helps the learner to be motivated and persistent, independent, self-disciplined, self-confident
and goal-oriented
5.Self-directed learning encourage students to develop their own rules and leadership patterns

LIMITATION OF THE SELF DIRECTED LEARNING:

 Learners can easily be distracted by their own needs, assumptions, values, and
misperceptions.
 Research has shown that some adults are unable to engage in self-directed learning because
they lack independence, confidence, or resources
 Self-Directed Learning needs to be combined with other learning methods for content to be
fully learned