Self-Directed Learning In an Informal Environment

Self-Directed Learningand the baseball playerBy Ashley Ford

Self-Directed LearningMuch of self-directed learning is occurring outside of formal institutional settings, and therefore being so embedded in peoples everyday lives as to be invisible

Image Credit:Amtraining.co.uk. Merriam, Caddarella and Baumgartner, 2007 When people hear the words Self-Directed they tend to think of something they do on their own. Something they are motivated to pursue on their own and learn on their own. Merriam, Caddarella and Baumgartner have stated Much of self-directed learning is occurring outside of formal institutional settings, and therefore being so embedded in peoples everyday lives as to be invisible. This statement shows that people are always learning and when looking for another or better way to preform an activity, the individual is self-directing what they are taking in. Self-directing requires self-control, self-discipline, and self-motivation to work towards their own learning needs.

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Becoming a Self-Directed LearnerSingapore Management University, 2012There four areas in the diagram are needed to become a self-learner. The learner needs to be self motivated by wanting to improve something or learn something new. To have self-management, they have to make sure they have the resources, time and skills needed to move forward. With self-monitoring, the learner needs to reflect on what they are doing, and evaluate the situation. If the learner finds an issue through their self-monitoring, they have to modify what they are doing to fix this issue. All of these components help lead the self-directed learner to the outcome they are looking for. 3Baseball Pitcher Self-Directed Learning Path

Player is motivated to perfect his fastballPlayer goes to the local ball fieldPlayer then throws 100 fastballs into the backstopContinues to go and throw everydayPlayers fastball improvesVideo Credit:Justin SalvatoIn this slide, you will see that the self-directed learning path of a baseball pitcher in an informal learning environment. For the sake of this presentation, let assume the player made his high school team, but does not play because does not have a good fastball. That player is now motivated to prefect his fastball to be able to participate as a starting pitcher. The player decides to go to the local ball field and begins throwing 100 baseball into the backstop. He continues this everyday, video taping himself and making needed modifications. The player shortly starts to see an improvement in his fastball. This is self-directed learning because the player could have been satisfied with just being on the team, but he wanted more. He wanted to learn how to throw a better fastball. The movie clip that is included, is the trailer for the movie The Rookie. It was included in this slide because it shows a story of a man who was motivated to be the best pitcher and the play in the big leagues and he got there with self-directed learning, motivation, and a little encouragement. 4ResourcesBecoming a self-directed learner. (2012). Retrieved from http://centres.smu.edu.sg/cte/becoming-a-self-directed-learner/

Merriam, S. B., Caffarella, R. S., & Baumgartner, L. (2007). Learning in adulthood: A comprehensive guide. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Salvato, J. (2008, June 18) The Rookie Trailer [Video File] Retrieved on February 8, 2014 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aceWXcvFOvI

5No matter how good teaching may be, each student must take the responsibility for his own education.John Carolus S.J.6