Self-directed Learning: Developing New Approaches

When we try to define one of the main roles of a trainer as being 'a facilitator', the thought behind is that participants need to be accompanied in their learning process. The ownership of the learning process is increasingly described as being in the hands of the learner. But how much does that actually happen? To what extent do facilitators take the role of following, supporting, and creating space for participants who take the responsibility for their own learning? And, to add a bit of fuel to the fire: what else should trainers be doing in the process? Research backs up the belief that people learn better when they decide on what to learn, how to learn, when to learn, and when the learning is finished. When we want to see people as responsible persons taking their lives into their hands and participating in creating their environment, 'learning directed by others' doesn’t really fit. Which means that the question 'Why self-directed learning?' maybe is not the right one. The question 'How self-directed learning?' might be more appropriate. And that 'learning with others' also has a big part to play in it all!!! And that is what this training is about. If it fits your self-directed learning plan, then we would be very happy to see you applying! During the training we will look at: - the main concepts of self-directed learning - links between self-directed learning and the EU-defined Key Competences for Lifelong Learning - critical approaches to evaluating learning styles - defining the competences a self-directed learner needs - the kinds of support required to facilitate self-directed learning - competences needed to fulfil the role of a facilitator of learning - relevant methods and tools - motivating learners to support each other - which contexts are more or less effective for self-directed learning