Written Assignment

Questions:
1. Describe the essential aspects of a self-directed, intrinsically motivated, active learner?

2. Identify two areas of personal strength and two areas of personal weakness in being a selfmotivated and engaged student.
3. Plan at least 5 strategies for personal growth and explain how you will implement your plan.
4. How will you evaluate yourself on the success of your personal growth plan and how will you
hold yourself accountable?
5. You should provide a word count.
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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
implement appropriate learning strategies, and evaluating learning outcomes. (Knowles, 1975,
p. 18). Self-directed learners will have certain essential characteristics. Some of these includes
-

Being ready to learn: A student will need to analyze his/her current situation in an
effort to organize his/herself. The following are some signs of readiness of selfdirected learners: autonomous, organised, self-disciplined, able to communicate
effectively, and able to accept constructive feedback and engage in self-evaluation
and self-reflection (UOW n.a).

Setting learning goals: For example set timeline in order to complete activities

Be engaged in the learning process: Students should be able to apply their knowledge
to new situations, and learn more than is required.

Evaluation: Students should be able to evaluate their own effectiveness in the learning
process.

'Intrinsic motivation' refers to performing an action or behavior for the sake of enjoyment
(Williams, 2014). Intrinsic motivation often results in high-quality learning and creativity. This
may be because instrinsic motivation causes a person to act for the fun or challenge rather than
the forces of external pressure (White, 1959).
In active learning, students are engaged in activities that promotes analysis, synthesis and
evaluation of class content (University of Michigan, n.a). Active learning requires that students
do meaningful learning activities and think about what they are doing(Prince, 2004). The key
element of active learning is that the student is engaged throughout the learning process (Prince,
2004). Daily journals has been identifies as an effect method to promote active learning.
Students can be given time to complete a journal entry. This allows the students to reflect, and
evaluate their own learning.
2. Two areas of Personal strengths of self-motivation and engagement
- Take ownership of the learning process: be more of a self-directed learner
- Embrace challenges: every obstacle is seen as a challenge, and every problem has a
solution.

Two areas of Personal Weaknesses: it is very difficult to find weakness in being self-motivated
learner. However some of the difficulties are:
-

Managing time: Self-motivated learners often research in details, for information.

This is very time consuming

It is difficult to be motivated at all times. Stress from work, family and other local
conditions can affect our ability to focus on our plans.

3. Five strategies for personal Growth

- Take ownership of the learning process: Set goals, and work towards them
- Be organized, and manage time effectively: in order to make maximum use of my time
- Disengage from the opinion of others
- Accept failure: learn from mistakes and become better afterwards
-Surround myself with people who will motivate me

All of the above are easily achievable. It would have to begin with a plan, a plan personal
growth. Self-evaluation will be an important aspect of this process.
4. Evaluate self
Honesty will be an important ingredient for a person to evaluate themselves. Before evaluating
myself, I will have to prepare a number of goals that I would want to achieve. Throughout the
learning process, I would need to recheck whether I am on the path towards achieving my goals.
If I have lost tract along the way, then I must re-set my goals, or work in a more effective manner
to ensure that my goals are achieved. Evaluation cannot be done in a very short time as well. One
need to reflect and think cleanly about what direction they are taking.
(word count: 602)

Reference
University of Waterloo (n.a). Self-Directed Learning: A Four-Step Process. Retrieved
from:
https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teachingtips/tips-students/self-directed-learning/self-directed-learning-four-step-process
White, R. W. (1959). Motivation reconsidered. Psychological Review, 66, 297333.
Yolanda Williams (n.a). Intrinsic Motivation in Psychology: Definition, Examples &
Factors. Retrieved from: http://study.com/academy/lesson/intrinsic-motivation-inpsychology-definition-examples-factors.html