Improving Students' Self-Directed Learning: Issues and Guidelines

Recent recommendations for educational reform at the elementary level are considered in terms of their implications for improving the self-directed learning capabilities of students. The construct of self-directed learning is defined and its importance at the elementary level is explored. The articl...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Elementary school journal 1988-01, Vol.88 (3), p.313-326
Main Authors: Thomas, John W., Strage, Amy, Curley, Robert
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic learning
Children
Education
Educational activities
Elementary schools
Homework
Independent study
Learner engagement
Learning
Recommendations
Teachers
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Summary:Recent recommendations for educational reform at the elementary level are considered in terms of their implications for improving the self-directed learning capabilities of students. The construct of self-directed learning is defined and its importance at the elementary level is explored. The article focuses on the ways by which classroom practices and conditions can encourage or discourage capabilities and dispositions to engage in self-directed learning. A classroom environment that would support effective self-directed learning is described with respect to 4 components: demands, supports, opportunity, and goal structure. Examples of how classroom tasks might be defined or changed are included within the discussion of each component.
ISSN:0013-5984
1554-8279
DOI:10.1086/461541