Supporting SelfDirected Learning

EDAE 624 Application Project Gaylen Brannon May 2013

Overview
In the context of life-long learning, adults have always sought opportunities to meet their learning needs. These needs might be professional or personal. The learning in which these adults choose to engage, could have several formats: formal, informal and occur through a variety of approaches, one being self directed learning.

Introduction
This Application Project provides an overview of the structures I will use to support adults participating in life-long learning and who have chosen an informal, self-directed learning context.

Life-Long Learning
Lifelong learning can be defined as the "ongoing, voluntary and self-motivated" pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. The term recognizes that learning is not confined to childhood or the classroom, but takes place throughout life and in a range of situations. ("Lifelong learning," ).

Self-Directed Learning
In its broadest meaning, self-directed learning describes a process by which individuals take the initiative, with our without the assistance of others, in diagnosing their learning needs, formulating learning goals, identify human and material resources for learning, choosing and implementing appropriate learning strategies, and evaluating learning outcomes. (Knowles, 1975, p. 18)

Introducing
GROW Change Agency

GROW Change Agency

GROW Change Agency will support and create learning experiences that meet the professional development or personal learning needs of adults and assist them by: facilitating change, seeding new ideas and fostering intentional growth.

Change is the end result of all true learning.

Leo Buscaglia

Why: GROW Change Agency

Self-directed learners identify their learning needs and find the tools, resources and structures to meet those needs. GROW Change Agency will be a source for tools resources and structures that support the unique requirements of the self-directed learner.

Why: GROW Change Agency

Self-directed learners need tools and resources
GROW Change will provide a host of resources that correlate with each experience.
The website will hosts additional books, links and other tools and resources that can support the experience

As lessons are designed, they will also have an accompanying list of resources aligned with that learning experience. These will be part of the supports for that lesson. Books, additional readings, web links and other resources will be easily accessible for the self-directed learner.

Why: GROW Change Agency

Self-directed learners need structures
GROW Change incorporates the use of learning contracts supports for goal setting that can assist learners in organizing their outcomes and developing assessments and accountability measures, (if they so desire).
Self-directed learners approach their engagement of learning experiences in diverse ways.
GROW Change will provide an array of templates for learning contracts, goal-setting sheets, tools for self assessment and accountability supports that might be helpful to the selfdirected learner.

How: GROW Change Agency

GROW Change Agency creates a variety of informal venues in which to engage participants in self-directed experiences
Community centers Community service-organizations One-day or weekend encounters Online Self-directed learners may need the flexibility of engaging in learning experiences that are outside of formal/traditional settings.

Leadership
Grow Change Agency will be led by Gaylen Brannon, an educator with a rich background in learning strategies. Grow will be uniquely equipped to facilitate conversations, identify challenges, and assist learners in finding creative solutions that support adults in achieving their goals.

Collaborations
Grow Change Agency will take a collaborative approach in developing learning experiences, compiling resources and utilizing multiple delivery mediums. Additional contributors to this effort include:
Mary Lisa Gates, M.S. Social Work (Content Development) Greg Karnes, Cascade Innovations (Technology Support)

Participants
GROW Change Agency will serve adults of all ages and backgrounds. Adults who utilize the resources of GROW, come to the learning experiences with a self-motivated pursuit of knowledge, having diagnosed their learning needs and formulated learning goals. Participants have identified GROW Change Agency as having offerings that address their needs.

Offerings
Learning Experiences Learning Experiences may be developed using popular writings. Some experiences might be structured as book explorations and materials used may include:
The Fifth Disciple The 22 Laws of Unconditional Wellness The 10 Laws of Career Reinvention

Delivery Modes
Face-to-Face
Conferences Community Events Local evening or weekend events sponsored by GROW

Virtual
Webinars Videos Classes GROW Talks Online Information Page Blog Twitter

Marketing
Marketing will take place through various means:
Conferences and Events
This will serve as a means to gather contact information and expand the word about the offerings of GROW Change Agency

Online Face Book Blog Twitter

Financing
Grow Change Agency is unique. This organization:
Provides all learning materials and resources in an open source format. Operates with no charge to participants
Expenses and the development of learning activities will be personally financed by the organizations developer. This organization is designed as an altruistic endeavor. GROW Change Agency strives to benefit society by serving the learning needs of adults.

GROW Change Agency

Potential Strengths:
Free learning opportunities Diverse delivery of learning experiences Collaborations with diverse, highly skilled professionals in fields that can compliment the effort

Potential Challenges:
Sustaining the activities of the organizations without additional financial contributions Marketing and increasing general awareness of GROW learning opportunities

Summary
Learning is ongoing and there will always be a need for organizations that support education. GROW Change Agency will exist to support adults in their quest to participate in life-long, self-directed learning. GROW will develop learning experiences for adults through on-line and face-to-face experiences and use popular texts, among other sources, as foundations for experiences.

Summary
GROW Change Agency will exist to support adults in their quest to participate in life-long, self-directed learning. GROW will develop learning experiences for adults through on-line and face-to-face experiences and use popular texts, among other sources, as foundations for experiences. Learning is ongoing and there will always be a need for organizations that support education.
The unfinished character of human beings and the transformational character of reality necessitate that education be an ongoing activity
Paulo Freire

References
Brainyquote. (n.d.). Retrieved from en.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/l/leobuscag Lifelong learning. (n.d.). Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Lifelong_learning Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the oppressed. New York: The Continuum Publishing Company. Knowles, M.S. (1975). Self-directed learning: a guide for learners and teachers. Chicago: Association Press.