Why should Home Learning be More Self-Directed and Less Structured?

 

“Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.” ~ Jim Rohn

Why should home learning be more self-directed and less structured? About Self-directed learning? How is self-directed learning promoted by Infinity Learn online platform? About self-directed learning versus classroom programs, Benefits of self-directed learning over classroom programs. Even for the brightest and most driven students, learning independently can be difficult. This Infinity learns article outlines key components of four key stages to independent learning, also known as self-directed learning: being ready to learn, setting learning goals, engaging in the learning process, and evaluating learning in order to better understand the processes involved in this mode of study.

Self-Directed learning versus Classroom programs

• Self-directed learning is not a new idea in education, it is becoming more popular. It has existed since the time of Aristotle and Socrates, and it is the natural path to deep understanding and success. Self-directed learning can arise in the classroom, and encouraging it as an important component of “how” we learn can provide students with a substantially more enriched learning experience.
• Most of us are accustomed to learning in a classroom atmosphere, where the teacher offers the lectures and pupils are informed what to study. The student is given instructions to do a task, and at the end of the course, he or she receives a grade. The teacher is in charge of the procedure under this framework.
• Self-directed learning allows students to take charge of their learning by deciding how and when they want to learn. This also makes children responsible for their own learning.
• Due to the coronavirus concern, social media feeds were flooded with color-coded learning regimens from well-intentioned parents. But they’ve had trouble putting those timetables in place, partially because traditional schools’ strictly scheduled, time-in-seat approach is typically more concerned with crowd control than with enhancing learning.
• The abrupt transition to work-from-home could be a good thing, allowing pupils to engage in true, deep learning that is more self-directed, more playful, and better aligned with young students’ development—and far easier for parents to handle than stacks of worksheets.
• Giving students participation in their education fosters intrinsic drive, independence, and innovation. They can look into real-world issues that interest them, study solutions, construct models, and produce reports to help them become more empowered. While it may be challenging in a regular classroom of 20–30 students, parents can give their children far more freedom at home in terms of choosing things to study, books to read, and how they spend their time.
• Parents can allow time for deep exploration, building critical thinking skills, and, most importantly, a genuine desire to learn that will transfer to related topics of study when they are freed from the strict curricular requirements of most schools, which focus far too much on testing and standards.

Science exploration

• Play is a scientific discovery for young children. Physics lessons can be learned by throwing toys, squeezing a sponge, or spinning in circles. Open-ended toys like blocks, scarves, blanket forts, and cardboard boxes encourage unrestricted play.
• Make a science experiment with common household items. Older students can take the lead in carrying out the experiment and then write a lab report on their findings.
• Nature serves as a springboard for scientific inquiry. Students can spend time in a backyard or park observing water cycles, ecosystems, and food chains and discussing what they see. Gather wildflowers and look up their names. Start a garden or a birding diary.

Understanding social studies

Find books about history or cultures that your children are interested in learning about. During the recession, several local libraries have made their digital catalogs available for free. Challenge the kids to make a puppet play, poster, or picture book that summarises what they’ve learned once they’ve finished reading.

• The approach can also be applied to films or television shows. Model inquisitiveness and even skepticism are essential for critical thinking development. Discuss historical or international films with your children as you watch them. Inquire about their thoughts on the situation, point out historical inaccuracies or biases, and compare and contrast the society depicted in the film with your own.

Mathematical skills

• Keep it simple in maths, like in other disciplines. With real objects like buttons or coins, young children can practice counting or age-appropriate maths facts. Cooking is another excellent technique to introduce real-world arithmetic concepts.
• Learning fractions begins with internalizing what one and a half cups of flour look like. By halving or doubling a recipe, you can practice multiplication and division. By counting money or moving a certain number of places, board games provide another opportunity to practice maths.

Learning English art learning

• Allowing children to choose their own books is a great way to encourage them to read. Making reading social is more beneficial than requiring a certain amount of reading, so set up some time as a family to read and then discuss what you’ve read.
• It is beneficial to simply talk to your children about anything. It’s the way we’re programmed to learn languages.
• Consolidating learning, or rereading knowledge to reinforce concepts so they stick over time, does not have to be difficult. Discussing what you do on a daily basis might help you remember new information.

Appreciation of the arts

• Music boosts memory and verbal intelligence, while visual arts promote brain function and well-being. All of the arts encourage the development of motor skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
• Encourage kids to paint, draw, sculpt with homemade play dough, or make friendship bracelets out of fiber. Basic items like glue sticks, paper, scissors, and cardboard boxes are all that are required.

Setting a scheduled play and movement

• Very young children will remain active as long as screens are turned off, but older children who are used to “sit and get” learning may require some encouragement. To jump-start your metabolism and get those happy brain chemicals flowing, try an early family workout. Through video conferencing, children may meet up with pals to work out together.

Looking for opportunities

• Don’t feel obligated to complete each subject every day. One or two things may occupy a child’s entire day. Authentic learning occurs in circumstances that are both real and meaningful. Kids are learning as long as they are moving, creating, or playing. Allow curiosity and enjoyment to lead the way.

Also read: College and Career Ready: Soft Skills Are Crucial

Frequently Asked Questions

What are three reasons why self-directed learning is critical?

Self-directed learning encourages the growth of self-assurance, initiative, tenacity, and a sense of fulfillment in life. While we may not have ultimate control over our lives (due to a variety of external factors such as DNA and environmental circumstances), we are each in command of our own lives.

What are the advantages and benefits of self-directed learning?

SDL (self-directed learning) is an educational method that allows students to select how they wish to study. Students can use their abilities, interests, and learning styles to enhance their knowledge of new information since they have control over their own learning.

What is self-directed learning's goals and objectives?

According to Drew McConnell, a technology teacher, self-directed learning is intended to boost students' confidence in their learning abilities. While teachers cannot make students feel confident, they may create an environment that motivates and challenges them to learn.

How is self-directed learning promoted by Infinity Learn's online platform?

Self-directed promotion by Infinity learn the platform, as, during the covid situation, students so much depended on the online learning platform like Infinity learn, in addition with online classroom programs. Infinity learns platform has youtube channels, applications, to promote education, enhance learning skills.