SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING
Self-directed learning are about individuals being driven to take charge of his/her own learning. This could either be by gaining new knowledge outside of what the student is currently learning in the classroom/ workplace, or by refining the way he/she gains knowledge and experiences.
SMU-X is a paradigm shift in the traditional approach to teaching and learning; from being teacher-centred to students taking ownership of their own learning. SMU-X enables students to take ownership of their own learning. Students get to critically reflect on the project requirements, identify knowledge gaps, acquire new knowledge and apply what they learn to solve the project challenge.
Why is this important?
Self-directed learning is a skill that directs the way for meta-learning. Self-directed learning enables one to teach themselves, cultivating the skill of learning how to learn. Meta-learning helps improve the learning efficiency of the individual. Such method of learning gives the individual better insights into how he/she learns best. Such learning also allows the development of other skills, such as time management, self-assessment, and goal setting.
Tips on how we can cultivate these knowledge and skills
- Think critically, and promote an environment of learning and discovery – be open to new sources of information and perspectives.
- Check the sources of your information – Are they credible? Are they suitable? Learn to critically assess the resources for self-learning.
- Have a learning plan in mind and set achievable learning goals – be sure that the goals are reasonable, and consider ways on how to motivate yourself along your learning journey