Autonomous And Self Directed Learning

For nearly two decades, Professor Michael K. Ponton and Paul B. Carr have formulated discussions of self- directed and autonomous learning by building upon the conceptual frameworks provided by Professors Emeriti Gary Confessore (learner autonomy and conation) and Albert Bandura (social cognitive theory, human agency, and self-efficacy). Using an agentic perspective of personal agency to describe learning, the agent as a learner engages in forethought to adopt goals of personal value and formulate learning plans; reacts to this ideation by enacting plans; reflects upon consequences and outcomes; and uses this acquired information to inform future learning plans. Their work and that with their colleagues has included both theoretical discussions and original research. This edited compendium, primarily consisting of previously published articles, is the result of those efforts.

The Autonomy Approach presents an important departure from the theoretical discussions which underpin the majority of work on learner autonomy. It introduces a practical perspective to self-directed language learning (teachable-learnable activities rooted in principles of learning), which draws on aspects of study skills and strategies as well as a variety of approaches, namely differentiated, individualised, self-directed, self-access and open-access learning.With the Autonomy Approach, emphasis is placed on students being supported in class to learn at their own pace, away from the classroom – in other words, self-directing their own learning. The authors examine and explain the theory behind metacognitive knowledge and skills, and support this with an extensive sequence of activities for the teacher and the learner to use – to help learners take the development of their language learning into their own hands. The activities in this book aim not to teach a language but, rather, to raise awareness of different aspects of language learning, to encourage learners (and teachers) to share, select and try out activities, and to reflect on the effectiveness of what they have tried. The activities are suitable for developing a self-directed learning course or for supplementing an existing course. This book is intended for:• Language teachers and learning advisors.• Trainers involved in professional development.• Materials developers for self-access centres or distance education.The Autonomy Approach contains three distinctive parts which focus in turn on theory, practice and development:Part A offers a detailed breakdown of the philosophy behind the Autonomy Approach. Clear rationales are established for promoting self-directed learning, and teachers are invited to reflect on the benefits of learners taking more responsibility for their own learning.Part B is packed with step-by-step activities to support learners through the development, implementation and modification of an emerging individualised learning plan.Part C promotes a deeper understanding of the Autonomy Approach, and includes strategies to develop professional practice for us, as language learning facilitators, to learn and grow from our own experience.

Traditionally, organizations and researchers have focused on learning that occurs through formal training and development programs. However, the realities of today’s workplace suggest that it is difficult, if not impossible, for organizations to rely mainly on formal programs for developing human capital. This volume offers a broad-based treatment of autonomous learning to advance our understanding of learner-driven approaches and how organizations can support them. Contributors in industrial/organizational psychology, management, education, and entrepreneurship bring theoretical perspectives to help us understand autonomous learning and its consequences for individuals and organizations. Chapters consider informal learning, self-directed learning, learning from job challenges, mentoring, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), organizational communities of practice, self-regulation, the role of feedback and errors, and how to capture value from autonomous learning. This book will appeal to scholars, researchers, and practitioners in psychology, management, training and development, and educational psychology.

Heutagogy, or self-determined learning, redefines how we understand learning and provides some exciting opportunities for educators. It is a novel approach to educational practice, drawing on familiar concepts such as constructivism, capability, andragogy and complexity theory. Heutagogy is also supported by a substantial and growing body of neuroscience research. Self-Determined Learning explores how heutagogy was derived, and what this approach to learning involves, drawing on recent research and practical applications. The editors draw together contributions from educators and practitioners in different fields, illustrating how the approach can been used and the benefits its use has produced. The subjects discussed include: the nature of learning, heutagogy in the classroom, flexible curriculum, assessment, e-learning, reflective learning, action learning and research, and heutagogy in professional practice settings.

This volume addresses the need for a more considered and systematic approach to teacher education and training in Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL), in all its forms: Technology Enhanced Language Learning, Network-Based Language Learning, Information and Communication Technologies for Language Learning and so on. The 20 chapters of the book are divided into five parts: (1) foundations of teacher education in CALL; (2) CALL degree programs; (3) CALL pre-service courses; (4) CALL in-service projects, courses, and workshops; (5) alternatives to formal CALL training. The chapters cover a broad range of levels, environments, countries, and languages. Rather than simply offering inspired speculation, the chapters provide practical information to readers, reporting on what has actually been done in a wide variety of teacher education programs and courses around the world. In many cases, the chapters describe how programs and courses have evolved, and include either qualitative or quantitative research, or both, to inform the structure of CALL courses, tasks and activities.

Originally published in 1991, this book provides the reader with a comprehensive synthesis of developments, issues and practices related to a self-direction in learning. it presents strategies for facilitating self-directed learning as an instructional method and for enhancing learner self-direction as an aspect of adult personality. The idea of self-directed learning is not a new one but has received renewed attention in education circles and has particular significance for the adult education sector.

First Published in 1987. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Today’s global educational environment includes the emergence of adult learners participating in formal and informal educational encounters for the purposes of professional development or personal enrichment. These learners must possess the conceptual and attitudinal idea of self-directed learning in order to be skilled workers and fulfilled human beings. Self-Directed Learning Strategies in Adult Educational Contexts is a critical scholarly publication that examines the impacts of self-directed learning methods and strategies on adult learning in various formal and informal learning situations and educational encounters. Featuring topics such as andragogy, learning analytics, and educational technologies, this book is geared toward adult educators, administrators, principals, professors, human resource managers, educational professionals, and researchers working in the fields of andragogy, adult learning theory, professional development, instructional technology, and curriculum development.