How can you use self-directed learning for lifelong growth?

There are a lot of different platforms and LMS’s out there to guide students through their self regulated learning journey. I believe it is inevitable and it is the future of learning. We just need to make sure the learner sticks to the plan and is engaged. The sense of accomplishment should be there!

Educational technology includes a broad range of digital tools and platforms designed to enhance the learning experience. For example, leveraging an LMS (Learning Management System) allows for the delivery of customised content and tracks learner progress effectively.

In my experience the educational technology is an important digital tool for teaching and learning enhancement. Using online or blended teaching requires interactive platforms that allow for active student engagement. Combined with simulation games, short videos, padlet, etc. they offer more flexibility, real-time interaction and "diversity in learning options." In short, digital literacy is a tool for equipping learners with the necessary IT knowledge and skills to adeptly handle the complexities of their lifelong growth.

Educational technology encompasses digital tools and media that enhance teaching and learning, spanning online courses, interactive platforms, educational games, simulations, podcasts, and videos. Offering increased flexibility, accessibility, and diversity in learning, it fosters digital literacy and 21st-century skills acquisition. Through educational technology, learners engage with dynamic and interactive content, facilitating personalized and interactive learning experiences. As technology continues to evolve, educational technology remains integral in modern pedagogy, empowering learners to navigate and thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Motivação à curiosidade também deve ser algo a se levar em conta. Instigando o aluno a pensar e trazendo reflexões, também pode reverberar em tais recursos mediáticos.

Educational technology is akin to a digital canvas where possibilities are endless, much like the world of animated movies. It offers us a space without physical limits where we can explore any subject or scenario imaginable. Do you want to study NFL strategies on the moon? It's possible! Do you wish to use an animated character to motivate you while learning a new language? That's also feasible! This innovative tool allows us to adopt creative approaches to capture users' attention and enhance their ability to achieve specific learning objectives. Furthermore, it promotes lifelong learning by motivating us to constantly explore new ways of acquiring knowledge and skills.

Educational technology, or EdTech, refers to the use of digital tools, resources, and platforms to enhance teaching, learning, and educational outcomes. It encompasses a wide range of technologies, including software applications, online platforms, multimedia resources, and interactive tools, designed to support and augment the educational experience. EdTech solutions can facilitate personalized learning, provide access to educational content, enable collaboration and communication, and offer tools for assessment and feedback. With the potential to revolutionize education, EdTech plays a critical role in modernizing teaching methods, expanding access to education, and preparing learners for success in a digital world.

In my experience educational technology is a huge and growing category of digital tools that enable education to happen (operations systems that enable learner/student centricity for example) and enable learning themselves (platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, and Salesforce’s Trailhead that I know best). It’s an exciting category that’s enabling us to start to realise the ambition of personalised education and support that I believe will help everyone unlock their potential. Tooling like GenAI is a big part of this future although I’m a big proponent of the role of person to person teaching and teachers - edTech can’t won’t do everything!

One thing I’ve found helpful is that self-directed learning empowers individuals to take control of their educational journey, making learning more relevant and engaging. It aligns perfectly with the flexibility offered by educational technology, allowing learners to access resources anytime, anywhere.

Self-directed learning plays a critical role in the realm of educational technology, as it empowers individuals to lead their own educational journeys. In today's fast-paced job market, being able to independently acquire new skills and knowledge is essential. This approach not only equips professionals to successfully navigate various work environments, but also contributes to the overarching objective of promoting equal educational opportunities for all, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Estimular a curiosidade: Desperta a curiosidade dos alunos e os encoraje a fazer perguntas, a investigar e a sair da sua zona de conforto. Incentiva a buscar soluções inovadoras e a compartilhar suas descobertas na classe.

Self-directed learning is vital in educational technology as it empowers learners to take control of their own learning journey, fostering autonomy, motivation, and lifelong learning skills. By leveraging EdTech tools and resources, learners can access a wealth of educational content, customize their learning experiences to suit their interests and pace, and explore topics beyond the confines of traditional classroom settings. Self-directed learning through EdTech encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, as learners actively seek out information, engage with content, and apply knowledge in real-world contexts.

In my experience self directed learning is enabled by education technology not delivered by it. A students motivation can come from how an edTech uses gamification and recommendations to inspire persistence. We are all inspired in different ways by different things and so the openness of platforms like Trailhead to the individuals interest is part of this. However, the best adoption of EdTech that I have seen from learners is where there is a blended learning approach that has: milestones like exams or credentials to aim for; in person class room experiences where a teacher or experienced person in the field shows a potential learning path and its values; and hands on experiences where learning is applied.

One time at work, I encouraged a team to set SMART goals for a new software learning initiative. For instance, setting a specific goal to complete a coding course within three months, measurable by test scores and project completion, achievable with planned study hours each week, relevant to their job roles, and time-bound by the course deadline.

An effective approach to setting SMART goals for self-directed learning is to apply the concept from the book 'The First 20 Hours.' This approach teaches us how to break down a broad objective into more specific and achievable goals. This helps us avoid frustration and gain a clear understanding of the time required to achieve our goals. For example, if our goal is to learn to play tennis, we should first define the level we aspire to reach, then understand the rules of the game, and from there, learn basic hitting and court movement skills. This same principle applies to setting learning goals, where each goal should be SMART, allowing us to follow a structured and effective process to achieve our self-directed learning goals.

Setting SMART goals for self-directed learning involves creating objectives that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. First, specify the learning outcome you want to achieve, such as mastering a new skill or understanding a particular concept. Next, ensure the goal is measurable by defining criteria for success or progress, such as completing a certain number of modules or achieving a certain score on an assessment.

SMART goals are key if you’re aiming for more than learning for learnings sake (which is still valid!). I always recommend splitting learning goals into at least two areas - investigative learning; and goal driven learning. Goal driven learning keeps us moving along paths on our learning platforms that add up to things that can enhance our resume, help us get a new job/role etc, help us research/write, etc. We can overemphasise goal driven learning and forget the joy in learning and investigation. Just look at most school systems today, how many of our children have stopped enjoying school because it’s all about exams? How many of us have stopped doing the continual learning we need to stay ahead because we don’t have a specific goal?

In my experience, vetting resources for their credibility and alignment with learning objectives is crucial. Utilizing peer-reviewed platforms and educational websites has proven effective for accessing high-quality, reliable learning materials.

E-learning offers an intriguing possibility for teachers: the ability to provide learners with a diverse range of self-assessment activities. These activities enable them to independently gauge their comprehension of presented concepts, without their responses being documented. It's crucial to remember that learning doesn't solely occur through passive listening during lectures. True learning emerges from active engagement and practice. Self-assessment tasks facilitate this approach. This avenue grants learners the chance to swiftly obtain cognitive feedback on their grasp of studied material. As a learner, opting for courses incorporating self-assessment activities can significantly benefit your learning process!

When choosing resources for self-directed learning, consider factors like credibility, relevance, accessibility, usability, interactivity, and flexibility to ensure they align with your learning goals and preferences effectively.

I’d strongly recommend starting with the brand platforms you know or recommendations from your trusted network. Then even within the platforms keep reviewing the quality of the authorship and - especially if it’s a leading edge topic then - seek alternatives too, just as you would with news and research. Once you know the quality of the content is reliable then you’ll want to look at how well build the platform is. For example: is it easy to follow for your learning style; is there gamification; is there certification available; is there links to in person options? Some of my favourites: Coursera; Udemy; LinkedIn Learning; Trailhead; and of course Khan Academy.

To ensure successful management and oversight of self-directed learning, it is important to fully embrace the use of digital tools such as learning management systems (LMS) and AI-driven apps. These technologies offer personalized progress tracking and adaptive feedback, enhancing self-assessment and strategy adjustment. Additionally, participating in online learning communities can provide valuable peer feedback and support, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and accountability. By integrating these resources, learners can better understand and optimize their learning processes, promoting lifelong learning and professional development.

One thing I’ve found helpful is using digital tools like time management apps and learning progress trackers. These tools help set a structured learning plan and keep track of progress, aiding in self-regulation and ensuring steady progress towards learning goals.

As an individual you want to build a bit of a schedule and then look for the platform to have learning goals (e.g. Ranger points on Trailhead) which are available in a summary page for you. For organisations leveraging self directed learning then the beauty of edTech should be the availability of reporting on your learners progress and with a good LMS you can direct learning outcomes and assign courses. Just remember to allow yourself and your teams the space to do investigative learning for themselves… this is the learning that will future proof your long term and be a source of the big ideas you’re looking for!

In addition to management tools, I've found that setting monthly challenges is effective for regulating my self-directed learning. For instance, I commit to creating a website each month to enhance my design and coding skills. With each iteration, I notice improvements in structuring, command knowledge, and problem-solving. These challenges serve as a clear gauge of my progress and areas for improvement.

To monitor and regulate self-directed learning, set clear goals, track progress regularly, maintain organized records, establish routines, seek feedback, and adjust your approach as needed to stay on track and achieve your learning objectives effectively.

One time at work, after completing an online certification, we organized a small team presentation where the learner shared key insights and takeaways. This not only celebrated the achievement but also disseminated valuable knowledge across the team.

One thing I’ve found helpful is maintaining a balance between digital and offline learning activities. While educational technology provides vast resources and flexibility, integrating hands-on projects and real-world experiences enriches the learning process and fosters deeper understanding.