The Self-Di

In its broadest meaning, self-directed learning de

with or without the help of others, in diagnos
Skills Self Asse
identifying human and material resources for lea
strategies, and evaluating lear

Class Av
e Self-Directed Learner
d learning describes a process in which individuals take
s, in diagnosing their learning needs, formulating learn
elf Assessment
urces for learning, choosing and implementing approp
aluating learning outcomes. (Knowles, 1975, p. 18)

lass Averages
Benefits
 viduals take the initiative,
ulating learning goals,
nting appropriate learning
5, p. 18)
 Self-Directed Lea

12 Skills or Competencies
Life skills: Organisation of time and resources in
your life, co-operation in working with others,
available support network

Independence: Autonomy, self-motivation, self-

reliance, resourcefulness, initiative, and judgment

"Basic skills: Literacy, numeracy, graphicity,

computer literacy, etc.
Information skills: Ability to find information by:
using libraries; abstracts; community resources;
interpreting data, charts, tables, timetables, etc.
Study skills: Organisation of material for projects,
note-taking and reading for different purposes,
understanding assignment requirements

Learning to learn: Awareness of task demands,

flexibility, self-knowledge of learning preferences,
awareness of learning process, self-evaluation

Planning skills: Ability to design a plan of

strategies for meeting learning needs, ability to
carry out a plan systematically and sequentially

Problem development skills: Ability to formulate

questions that are answerable through various
research activities (projects, library, readings)
Analytical skills: Ability to select and use most
effective means of acquiring information, ability to
analyse and organise information, ability to select
most relevant and reliable information sources
Communication skills: Ability to write reports,
essays, instructions, discourse, display data, etc.

Evaluation skills: Ability to collect evidence of

accomplishments and have it evaluated, ability to
accept constructive feedback from others

Completion skills: Ability to identify problem

areas, ability to revise work, commitment to
completing units and program

An Average rating of 1-3 indicates readiness for independent study. An

Average rating higher than 3 indicates that you may need to seek out some
help in certain skill areas as you progress through your studies.

Adapted from:
Self-Directed Learner - Skills Self Assessme
Current skill
rating

mpetencies 1-excellent
2-good
3-adequate
4-poor

LIFE SKILLS
At the end of the
questions, try these: Questions

What was your

INDEPENDENCE strongest skill?

What was your

BASIC SKILLS weakest skill?

How could you

INFORMATION
improve your
SKILLS weakest skill?

What is your
readiness for
STUDY SKILLS independent
study?

LEARNING TO
LEARN

PLANNING SKILLS

PROBLEM SOLVING
SKILLS

ANALYTICAL SKILLS
Self-Directed
12
10

8
6
 Self-Directed
12
COMMUNICATION 10
SKILLS 8

6
4

EVALUATION SKILLS 2

COMPLETITION
SKILLS

s for independent study. An

ou may need to seek out some
ss through your studies. ### See Graphical Represen

https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teaching-tips/tips-students/self-directed-learning/i
Assessment
HOME

Questions Answers

What was your

strongest skill?

What was your

weakest skill?

How could you

improve your
weakest skill?

What is your
readiness for
independent
study?

Self-Directed Learner Skills

 Self-Directed Learner Skills

phical Representation above for detailed analysis

dents/self-directed-learning/independent-studies-readiness-learn
 Self-Directed Learner
Collect each students average scores for each self-directed learning skill and enter in e
Students 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
LIFE SKILLS 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2
INDEPENDENCE
BASIC SKILLS
INFORMATION
SKILLS
STUDY SKILLS
LEARNING TO LEARN
PLANNINGSOLVING
PROBLEM SKILLS
SKILLSSKILLS
ANALYTICAL
COMMUNICATION
SKILLSSKILLS
EVALUATION
COMPLETITION
SKILLS
Individual Student Averages 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2

An average rating of 1-3

indicates readiness for
Self Directed Learne
independent study. An 3.0
2.5
average rating higher than 2.0
1.5
3 indicates that you may 1.0
0.5
need to seek out some help 0.0
in certain skill areas as you
progress through your
studies.
ed Learner Class Averages
ng skill and enter in each column. (NB: Replace the Sample Life Skills scores currentlt in that row
13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4

rected Learner Skill Class Averages

5
4
AVERAGE 3
2
1
0
1 2 3 4 5 6
 HOME
ores currentlt in that row).
AVERAGEEg Student Questions Answers
2.6 1 What is the classes'
#DIV/0! 3 strongest skill?
#DIV/0! 2
#DIV/0! 4 What is the classes
#DIV/0! 3 weakest skill?
#DIV/0! 3
Which student
#DIV/0! 4
scored the highest
#DIV/0! 2
Average?
#DIV/0! 2
#DIV/0! 3 What was the Class
#DIV/0! 1 Average overall?
#DIV/0! 3
#DIV/0!

Individual Student Averages

5
4
Individual Stud
3
2
1
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
ages

Individual Student Averages

8 29 30 31
 Self-directed lear
1. An opportunity to learn through the lens of your culture, worldview

2. The experience of empowerment through the power of choice and d

3. An enhanced level of focus as the learning process is being led by y

4. The opportunity to be led by curiosity (a natural thing)

5. A learning experience that focuses on the actual learning as oppos

6. A stress-free approach to learning

7. Self-confidence will know no boundaries