Every child is unique, with different interests, backgrounds, strengths, weaknesses, goals, motivations, and learning styles. So why are children all taught the same? Self-directed learning is a truly student-centered approach that bases everything on the individual student’s interests and needs. It empowers students to become active and independent learners, giving them a voice over what, when, and how they learn.

Self-directed learning completely changes the traditional teacher-student hierarchy. Students are no longer entirely dependent on their teacher. Students take full ownership of their own learning, becoming self-directed.

Teachers, no longer positioned as an authority or ultimate decision-maker, serve as a consultant, providing resources and guidance to help students set up their own learning plan.

There are three key features of self-directed learning:

1. Students Decide What They Learn

Students differ in their interests and curiosities. Self-directed learning puts students in the driver’s seat, giving them full control of the content of their learning.

Instead of being taught directly from a mass-produced curriculum, students get to design their own learning. In essence, your student becomes a course creator. They are allowed to be curious, identify their interests, and set learning goals based on what they want to learn.

2. Students Decide When They Learn

Each student’s ideal schedule will likely look different from another’s, but that is one major strength of self-directed learning: it’s flexible and meets the needs of individual students. Students are assisted in creating a sustainable, realistic schedule, one that works for them and their family.

3. Students Decide How They Learn

While there lacks evidence that we each have different learning styles, we do all have our own individual learning preferences. Some students prefer to learn by reading. Whether it’s a magazine, article on their iPad, or a book from the library, some students enjoy learning most when they read. For other students, the last thing they want to do is pick up a book. They would rather listen to a recording or have hands-on experience to learn something new.

It’s not uncommon to hear students say “I don’t like school,” or, “school is boring,” which makes sense. Students rarely have any say in their learning. They are simply expected to do what they are told to. Self-directed learning makes learning more enjoyable, because students get to be autonomous and be responsible for their own learning and growth.

Children are incredibly curious, and we should seek to increase their wonder, not squash it.

Are you interested in empowering your child to truly experience self-directed learning?

Strive Learning Solutions offers the first of its kind self-directed learning software: The Self-Directed Student. Regardless of your student’s interest, the Self-Directed Student will help your student learn what they are curious about.

Book your free consultation today!