David Price OBE, recently started a discussion on Linked In. It can be found at http://www.linkedin.com/groupAnswers?viewQuestionAndAnswers=&discussionID=5821013489681969152&gid=3795424&trk=eml-anet_dig-b_pd-ttl-cn&fromEmail=&ut=0-yzWIj-172S41
The predominant part of his discussion refers to an excerpt from his book, Open: How We’ll Live, Work, and Learn in the Future. Here is my reflection after reading the excerpt.
With “customization and personalization” (of student learning) comes the need to both challenge and support students to become self-directed learners. If students can self-direct, that is ‘know’ themselves as learners, it will best allow for what the Singaporean Minister calls for…. a “new concept of educational success focuses on the nurturing of key skills and competencies such as the ability to seek, to curate and to synthesize information; to create and innovate; to work in diverse cross-cultural teams; as well as to appreciate global issues within the local context.”
Developing ‘self-directed learners’ can be done, and indeed is being done, through the provision of learning opportunities which provide students with increased decision making about content and pace of learning. The ‘content’ could come from “the arrival of MOOCS, social media and informal learning” as schools will need get better at “putting together units of study that appeal to their passions,”
Also, through extensive use of collaborative digital technologies and by making learning relevant to ‘their’ real world, students can direct their learning based on their interests, abilities and motivations. This requires teachers to unlearn the old ‘stand and deliver’ paradigm and relearn the new ways of coaching students and facilitating their “self-directed learning.”
What are your thoughts?
Greg.
LEARN AND LEAD 
Like it, Greg. I think we can’t underestimate the skill of ‘coaching’ that teachers also need to employ to train kids in the skills of self-directed learning. Lots of kids do not naturally or easily move to self-directed, requiring considerable (individualised) support This skill, along with an evolution from a purely ‘stand & deliver’ methodology are the key traits of a teacher who will prepare students for the emerging world of work.
I think the activator/ designer model of learning with our students signposts the shift we’re already undertaking.
Exciting times!
Junior primary teacher who is witnessing this struggle as an educator and parent. It is very challenging to move your deep down thoughts regarding success. To value new skills equally with what we were raised to value is difficult when working with young children. Great young children who are caring, conscientious, nurturing, good digital citizens and can apply and create to reflect their learning. These children know what helps them to learn and what they need to learn next. The same children are struggling with basic reading decoding skills like we did at their age. Parents naturally worry about their ability to succeed. The challenge is to balance it all and ensure our kids succeed in all they do. Making our world a kinder and sustainable place to live in.
Facilitating self directed learning is one if the most rewarding experiences in teaching. To ‘let go’ of the control over content knowledge and the traditional thinking that as a teacher I have to ‘tell’ students all the information for them to learn anything is a welcome relief. Leading students to find information, question it, explore it further, and present it to an audience is a lesson in collaboration for students and teachers alike. One that has many wonderful ‘light bulb’ moments that make for real learning. How liberating it is to not have to know everything. To say Yes! to everything and evaluate what works well and recognise what doesn’t and absolutely make mistakes. To constantly evaluate the process of learning and to be able to discuss it with anyone is making ALL students confident self directed learners who will try things, take risks, collaborate with others. I’m all in.