Self Directed Learning

1. SELF DIRECTED
LEARNING CONTRACTS
By: Jeff Sherman

2. SO WHAT IS SELF DIRECTED LEARNING?
Alan Webb (not the Olympic track runner) would describe
it as, “People who take the initiative and responsibility for
their own education and stop at nothing to be informed
about something they are passionate about.”

3. ACCORDING TO JENNIFER SAENZ, FROM THE
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, THERE ARE 5
IMPORTANT STEPS INVOLVED IN SELF DIRECTED
LEARNING:
1. Set Goals
2. Create A Plan
3. Monitor Learning
4. Seek Help When Needed
5. Reflect on the Process

4. OR MAYBE THIS VIDEO WILL BETTER EXPLAIN IT

5. TO HELP FURTHER UNDERSTAND,
HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLE
CONTRACTS THAT WOULD BE
PRESENTED TO THE STUDENTS TO FILL
OUT IN THE CLASSROOM.
1
Learning
Objectives
(list and
number them
below)
2
Learning
Resources &
Strategies
(List what
resources you
will use an
you will go
about
the learning
objectives.
Align each
with the
appropriate
learning
objective.)
3
Evidence of
Accomplishm
nt
(For each
learning
objective,
what evidence
you will
for reaching
the objective:
paper,
performance,
etc.)
4
Criteria and
Means of
Validating
Evidence
(List specific
criteria for the
proposed
evidence. For
example, if
proposed a
paper or oral
presentation,
how will it be
rated or
evaluated to
give you
feedback on
your work?)
5
Completion
Date
(For each
piece of
evidence, list
goal
completion
date.)
Learning Contract
(modified from template from Self-Directed Learning: A Guide for Learners and
Teachers by Malcolm Knowles)

6. TO HELP FURTHER UNDERSTAND,
HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLE
CONTRACTS THAT WOULD BE
PRESENTED TO THE STUDENTS TO FILL
OUT IN THE CLASSROOM.
What do I want/need to learn?
Answer this by providing a list of SMART goals: specific, measurable, achievable (but challenging),
relevant, and time-bound (By what date do you want to achieve it? Work with your learning coach /
teacher to align your goals the appropriate standards).
How will I know and show that I learned it?
Describe your plan for demonstrating to yourself and others that you have achieved the goals listed
above. Be sure to include a plan that addresses evidence for each of your goals.
How will I learn it?
Include a detailed plan of what you will do to achieve each of your learning goals. This might include
completing specific readings, field trips, interviews, practice with or without a guide, finding and
meeting frequently with a mentor or coaching, conducting experiments, or anything else that will help
you achieve your goals.
How will I monitor my progress?
How will you know if you are getting closer to achieving each of your goals? This should be a plan for
frequent (daily or weekly) and meaningful (it helps you and makes sense to you) feedback on your
progress.
Initial Proposal
Learner Signature: ______________________ Date: _______________
Learning Coach Signature: ______________________ Date: _______________
This project will apply toward _________ credits in ______________________
This project will apply toward _________ credits in ______________________
Proposal Revision #1
Learner Signature: ______________________ Date: _______________
Learning Coach Signature: ______________________ Date: _______________
This project will apply toward _________ credits in ______________________
This project will apply toward _________ credits in ______________________
Proposal Revision #2
Learner Signature: ______________________ Date: _______________
Learning Coach Signature: ______________________ Date: _______________
This project will apply toward _________ credits in ______________________
This project will apply toward _________ credits in ______________________
Self-Directed Learning Project

7. TO SUM IT ALL UP
Self Directed Learning is where Instruction
focuses more on instruction from the
student rather than the teacher. The
teacher is their to monitor the environment
and keep the students on task, but how the
student learns or arrives at the their
conclusions is solely dependent on them.
The student takes responsibility for their
learning. There is teamwork that takes
place, which further helps prepare students
for the real world.

8. HOW TO IDENTIFY A SELF DIRECTED LEARNER
ENVIRONMENT/CLASSROOM
 The tradition rows of desk have been rearranged so that students can
easily collaborate on projects or assignments together.
 The teacher becomes a participant and co-learner in discussion, asking
questions and perhaps correcting misconceptions, but not telling
learners what they need to know.

9. HOW TO IDENTIFY A SELF DIRECTED LEARNER
ENVIRONMENT/CLASSROOM
 Assessments given to the students focus more on asking open
ended questions versus fill in the blanks and multiple choice.
 More is learned about students progress through critical
thinking.

10. HOW TO IDENTIFY A SELF DIRECTED LEARNER
ENVIRONMENT/CLASSROOM
 Student’s passions and interest are honored within the class
room.
 The teachers are more flexible, resourceful, and sensitive to
student’s needs. Basically teachers in these classrooms are always
on their toes.

11. HOW TO IDENTIFY A SELF DIRECTED LEARNER
ENVIRONMENT/CLASSROOM

12. PROS AND CONS OF SELF DIRECTED
LEARNING CONTRACTS
Pros
 Students are receiving a ton of experience which is a
rich resource for them.
 Students are able to learn from life task.
 The lessons are problem centered.
 Students arrive to conclusions on their own which
produces an internal incentive.
 Students learn important communicative and
collaborative skills through group work.
 Students learn to direct their own learning, ask
questions and complete tasks independently.
 Students are more interested in learning activities
when they can interact with one another and
participate actively.
Cons
 Classrooms will become very noisy, busy, and at
times chaotic.
 The instructor has the responsibility of managing all
the student activities at once, which is difficult
because many times students will be working at
different stages of a project or taking different
routes to arrive at their conclusions.
 Due to the instructor not delivering instructions to
all the students at once there is a good possibility
some students will miss out on important facts.
 Some students prefer to work alone.

13. ENJOY THIS VIDEO AND LOOK HOW FAR
WE’VE COME