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.