Book Review: Self-Directed Learning: A Guide for Learners and Teachers

My dissertation topic focused on informal learning. I wanted to know how extension educators were staying current in their discipline as well as learning how to be educators and use technology in their teaching. You could say that I was interested in self-directed learning. One of the concerns the educators also think about is how do they transform their students into lifelong learners. I am pleased to report that Malcolm Knowles’s book, Self-Directed Learning: A Guide for Learners and Teachers shares strategies for both learners and teachers.

Self-Directed Learning is 135 pages divided into three major sections:

• Part I – The Learner
• Part II – The Teacher
• Part III – Learning Resources

Self-Directed Learning is a very quick book to read. I was done in a few hours. Knowles designed the book to be a resource to use for designing self-directed learning plans. The overall purpose is to help learners take more responsibility for their learning.

Knowles wrote the book in a very informal conversational style. It was like he was sitting across the table from me just having a chat about self-directed learning.

Part I – the Learner

The first part focused on the learner as an active participant in the learning process. In addition to the introduction to this section, Knowles shared four learning inquiry projects. The first project introduced the concept of self-directed learning to include reasons for shifting to self-directed learning and implications for doing so. He stressed the importance of self-directed learning as being a necessary “prerequisite for living in this new world” (p. 17). If it was true when he wrote this in 1975, it is definitely true now.

In the second inquiry project, Knowles presents two approaches to learning: teacher-directed learning and self-directed learning. There is one section focusing on teaching pedagogically and andragogically that I will be including in my syllabi. I want students to understand why I make the design decision that I do.

The fourth inquiry project provided instructions for developing a learning plan and learning contract. Knowles included examples of what the products should look like as well as guiding questions.

Part II – the Teacher

Based on what I read, not every instructor will want to embrace a shift to using strategies in a classroom. Self-directed learning is messy. Knowles began by describing his process for shifting his teaching style and lessons learned. He also addresses some of the issues that may present itself. One of the issues that I believe to be prominent is structure versus non-structure. It is hard to wean students off of teacher-directed learning.

Knowles shared strategies and outlines for introducing students to the concept of self-directed learning as well as a recommended class schedule that could be tailored.

Part III – Learning Resources

Throughout the student and teach sections of the book, Knowles pointed to specific resources located in the learning resource section. He described when and why to use them.

The learning resource section has 15 resources to help make self-directed learning a possibility. These resources include:

• A comparison of assumptions and processes of teacher-directed learning and self-directed learning.
• Competencies of self-directed learning
• Learning contracts
• Relationship building exercises
• Self-assessment exercise
• A content-course self-assessment instrument
• Guidelines for stating objectives
• Questioning strategies and techniques
• Exercise in reading a book proactively
• Exercise in using human resources proactively

Knowles also included an appendix that included guidelines for contract learning.

If I am asked to develop a new class, I am going to try to develop it around Knowles’ self-directed learning strategies. I think it will take some energy to make it work but I am excited to try. If you think learners should take more responsibility for their learning, I recommend that you read Self-Directed Learning.

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Additional Reading

• Book Review: Informal Learning at Work: How to Boost Performance in Tough Times
• #astd2013, Evaluating Informal Learning with @saulcarliner
• #ASTD2012 Session Notes: The Yin and Yang of Formal and Informal Learning
• Informal Learning – How to Satisfy Your Thirst for More Knowledge
• ITC: 73 – Why Is Self-Directed Learning Important and How Do You Develop It?
• ITC: 45 – Using a Personal Learning Network to Fuel Your Lifelong Learning

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