3.4 Self-Directed Learning
Identify and achieve personal learning goals
Being a self-directed learner is being autonomous, organized, and self-disciplined. They are able to communicate effectively, accept constructive feedback, and engage in self-evaluation and self-reflection to learn. Self-directed learners are lifelong learners as they continue to grow and adapt to complex social and technological changes throughout their careers. They are self-motivated.
Excelling in Self-directed Learning as a Job Skill means:
You can:
- Take initiative to learn
- Work towards solving real-world problems trying to find efficient solutions
- Adapt and learn as needed
- Not fear change
- Be accountable
- Be punctual
Others see you as:
- Acting without being told to
- Assessing your own abilities – strengths and weaknesses
- Adapting to new technology
- A motivated/driven person
Pre-Health Perspective
In PHS you will have many opportunities to develop the Job Skill of self-directed learning. Below are just two examples of times you will be required to do self-directed learning:
- Blended courses will have built-in hour(s) where you complete tasks and evaluations on your own to meet a set deadline.
- Students will use the Mathematics Open Educational Resource to work on their self-directed learning skills by using the practice problems to prepare for class and evaluations.
As a Registered Nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, I am required to think critically and quickly assess situations involving a neonate. Infant conditions can change rapidly without warning which requires me to be a self-directed learner. It is of upmost important that I am motivated to continue increasing my knowledge base. Technology is ever-evolving and requires continuous preparation to respond to patient situations while exhibiting clinical competence.
Ewelina Stoyanovich, RN, PhD (Student), MN, BScN, BA
“4.4 Self-Directed Learning” from Working in Play: Planning for a Career in the Recreation and Leisure Industry in Canada by Linda Whitehead is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
