Inspiring+Self-Directed+Learners

=**Discussion of "How do we help the learner become self-directed?"**= //(how do they learn that they need to take responsibility for their learning, it isn't just what we do) -- notes compiled by M. Denney//


 * Contributors:** Hope Brown, Holly Hinkhouse, Gary Ruderman, Erica Larson, Pam Joslyn, Kevin Kaufman, Ashley Fahey, Marci Denney, Sarah White, Christopher Soldat, Yvette McCulley, Jackie Edgin, Gail Wortman, Mary K. Overholtzer


 * We need to know what they are going through so we can connect with them
 * How do we make them comfortable with being wrong?
 * If I'm self-directed, then if there's a mistake it is my fault.
 * Reconnect with the learner who intrinsically wants control
 * How do we get them self-directed with content that isn't intrinsically appealing, but is required as part of the content?
 * Can we let them set them deadline (within parameters)? How will this effect structure and how class work?
 * Ownership, successful self-directed learner . ..
 * This is a process . . . how can we make it progress a bit more quickly?
 * Mindset is critical
 * Relevance is a must
 * We need this to be the culture of the school
 * Self-directed learning (focus on the process not as an identity)

**Ideas to address this**

 * Survey to students and parents--information that we should know; interview to know more about the student
 * socratic questioning technique
 * use self-directing language ("a self-directed learner would... ")
 * Giving them some options/decisions within the learning of the content
 * Including self-reflection questions/pieces so they can grow as a self-directed learner
 * what are you most proud of? what do you need to work on?
 * How we respond to failure helps them deal with things
 * Comments as a way to help build relationships (both from students and us)

Action Strategies


 * Relating to our passions
 * Thinking independently
 * Modeling language of self-direction
 * Reflecting on progress
 * Developing relationships
 * Sustaining motivation for learning
 * Impacting society