Self Direct your Learning with a solid Support Team

Self Directed Learning (SDL) is a type of studying where a student is in charge of their own development, creating a faster pace of learning and an increased retention rate.

SDL is being increasingly implemented by many large corporates as a way of structuring the approximately 80% of our essential industry related skills we learn on the job.

Learners take studying into their own hands and work at their own pace, within their own individual study style. The major benefit to this type of learning is that we all like to feel in charge of our own future and Self Directed Learning gives us the option to study what we deem appropriate for our current positions and to benefit future endeavours.

SDL is not only up to the individual though, there needs to be support from the particular areas within a company; students need to be given constant encouragement and have access to the appropriate resources to complete their required training.

Self Directed Learning, therefore, requires companies to make learning tools readily available and this is where eLearning comes in. The accessibility and flexibility that eLearning allows, can benefit not only the learner, but also the company, as they can provide resources online, such as: online courses, podcasts, blogs, and forum support for staff. Staying aware of all current technologies seems to be the only pre-requisite for the company.

An article in the Winter 2007 edition of Learning Magazine speaks of the benefits of Self Directed Learning and outlines steps of how to encourage SDL in the workplace, which I have simplified below:

- Align a learners goals with the goals of the company
- Help access current performance and set future expectations
- Distinguish, with the learner, their learning style and learning personality
- Help identify a starting point
- Encourage responsibility for their own learning
- Manage and/or coach, do not direct
- Teach the skills of enquiry, decision-making, and evaluation
- Promote learning groups and support networks
- Allow self-reflection time
- Provide training about how to use SDL in the workplace

Basically, a successful implementation of Self Directed Learning will consist of providing a support network for all employees to be able to request help if needed, but still have the capacity to evolve their own learning.

Update your Skills - Enrich your Life

Do you ever wonder what it would be like to not be able to use a computer?

Imagine applying for a job and not being able to get through the door because you don’t have the skills necessary to write and send an email.

For those of us who are office-based, arriving at work and switching on your computer is in the same realm of normality as brushing your teeth, morning and night.
What about those of us who have never had access to a computer, let alone thought about learning to use one?

Figures show that around 14,000,000 people in the UK do not access the internet on a regular basis so are unaware of the convenience and flexibility at which they can gather information or complete simple tasks.
Whether it be online shopping, internet banking, contacting your local MP, or finding the closest doctors surgery, the speed at which we acquire information across the net cannot be rivaled by any other source.

Helen Milner, Managing Director of UK Online Centres suggests that social inclusion will create digital inclusion; their plan has been to work within the community and break down the barriers between the ‘haves’ and the ‘have-nots.’ By sharing knowledge throughout the community, all citizens can become digitally aware and digitally competent, which opens doors to new opportunities and creates a sense of ownership for their own learning.

UK Online’s motto is “Transforming technology – empowering people,” and along with The Lighthouse Project, they have created a place where community members can come to meet others in their area, get guidance and advice, and take essential computer courses. They provide an unassuming environment where people of any age can learn at their own pace, to develop basic skills or even work their way up to a qualification.

It’s seems to be an underlying theme is that if you motivate and inspire one aspect of your life, this will help build the confidence you will need to take positive steps in other parts of your life.

This crosses over into the workplace as well. Providing any form of further education will invigorate staff and make them feel like a valued member of staff, or in other words, an esteemed member of their ‘office’ community.

What do you do to motivate your employees or enrich your community?

Take a Gamble with E-Learning!

E-learning is an ever-growing form of training and is now used in many sectors. It appears that there is no end to its uses and is applicable to a plethora of jobs. The University of Mansfield has now introduced a Casino Gaming program which is aimed at giving their students the opportunity to learn the skills needed to work in a casino.

It uses interactive multimedia and video e-mails to instruct and guide the students and is supported by the World Poker star Johnny Chan. It teaches everything from methods to mannerisms of professional players. There are several courses including how to become a Poker or Blackjack dealer, and also covers the basics such as shuffling.

This is a fine example of how e-learning has the ability to reach out into fields that would normally be virtually impossible to get into for the average person. If this is a success it could pave the way for others and make ‘fantasy jobs’ become a reality.