Self-Directed Learning for Gifted Students
Taking the initiative to design one’s own learning can be used in the homeschooling environment to create enrichment at home and to extend school curriculum through independent study. When an individual learns to direct his or her own curriculum as a child, this becomes the basis for lifelong learning as an adult. It opens the door to pursuing subjects and activities that are personally interesting. Passions develop because one is able to choose the content and the timeline. The topic may or may not be a traditional academic subject, but no matter what you study, you will learn.
In a typical school situation, a student pursues what he is told to study and is given a timeline for accomplishing specific tasks. While this system builds many skills and can produce a lot of knowledge, the danger is that the young person only learns to do what she is told to do and not to love learning for learning’s sake. Parents and teachers can encourage young people to walk down the path of passion.
Some helpful websites for self-directed learning include:
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Self-Directed Learning—This website provides ideas for teaching self-directed learning and for becoming a self-directed learner. It also includes articles, archived newsletters, and links to other helpful websites.
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Self-Directed Learning—This article from ERIC includes an explanation of self-directed learning, lists its benefits, and discusses what teachers can do to help the process.
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