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Self-instruction and Self-direction

Leslie Dickinson (1987) uses the term ‘self-instruction to refer to “situations in which a learner, with others, or alone, is working without the direct control of a teacher.” According to him this kind of independent learning could be for short periods within a lesson, for whole lessons or in extreme cases of learner autonomy for the whole of learning. Leslie Dickinson defines self direction as a “particular attitude to the learning task, where the learner accepts responsibility for all the decisions concerned with his learning but does not necessarily undertake the implementation of those decisions.” He differentiates self-instruction from self-direction. The self-directed learners,  take up the responsibility for their own learning but will seek expert advice and help as and when they need it.

 

According to Lowry, Cheryl Meredith (1989) whether or not learning is self-directed depends not on the subject matter to be learned or on the instructional methods used. Instead, self-directedness depends on who is in charge, that is, who decides what should be learned, who should learn it, what methods and resources should be used, and how the success of the effort should be measured. To the extent the learner makes those decisions, the learning is generally considered to be self-directed.

 

Pause and Ponder

Check your understanding by deciding whether the following statements are true or false.

 

  1. Learners always have to work alone during self-instruction.

  2. Independent learning can only be for part of the learning programme.

  3. In self directed learning the learner cannot ask for teacher’s help.

  4. The subject matter decides whether learning is self-directed or not.

  5. In self directed learning the learners takes up the responsibility for their own learning.

 

Problems in Self Directed Learning 

Educators have found that some adults are incapable of engaging in self-directed learning because they lack independence, confidence, or resources. Not all adults prefer the self-directed option, and even the adults who practice self-directed learning also engage in more formal educational experiences such as teacher-directed courses (Brookfield 1985). In cases where the learners are used to very strict teacher control, the learners find it very difficult to take up the responsibility for their own development.

 

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H M Patel Institute of English Training & Research, Vallabh Vidyanagar - 388120, Gujarat, India

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