The second part of Dr. Bull’s presentation was centered around his “7 laws of the Self Directed Learner”
Some laws were breezed through, so I didn't get as much information, but use your imagination and you will get the idea!
- Law of the Teacher
When we think about being a SDL (self directed learner) we have to understand that there is no one expert about the subject that we are wanting to learn. Quite the contrast that (with the use of the internet, social networks, etc.) the world is our teacher, it’s simply a matter of how far are you willing to reach in order to learn? Connections can be made with resident experts across the world through twitter, skype etc. The SDL embraces everything and everyone as a teacher, rather than depending on the teacher for ALL the answers.
2. The Law of the Lesson
I found this law very interesting and inspiring. Are we teaching our students to ask the right questions by being the end resource of information? No! In order for us as teachers to facilitate our learning, we need to guide our students to the answer through questioning, offering opportunity for the students to come to the answer themselves. Bull shared an article from The Telegraph about the 101 Greatest Questions. The more we want to push our students to be SDL’s the better we need to be able to ask and inspire questions in our students.
Some example questions from the article:
“What is OK short for?”
“What is a hiccup?”
“Do hot drinks cool you down?”
What questions are you inspiring in your classroom?
3. The Law of Language
4. The Law of Bridges
“The self-directed learner builds brain bridges between what she already knows and can do & what she aspires to know and do”
5. The Law of Self- Knowledge
“The self-directed learner aspires to learn how to motivate herself & what motivates her.”
Here’s a question:
There is a 1500 page book sitting on your desk. What would need to happen to motivate you to read that book?
The groups responded in many different ways, Dr. Bull came back and said that contex plays a piece in your motivation. For example if you were stuck in a room that had no windows or doors and there was a 1500 page book titled “How to Escape a windowless/doorless room” there would be motivation.
Think about the intrinsic motivation in game designs (from Bull):
- challenge
- Curiosity
- Control
- Fantasy
- Cooperation and Competition
- Recognition
As we consider our lessons, units, projects, and process of learning in our classrooms, we should consider this as an important task to attempt.
6. The Law of RE
Refining is key. Self-assessment allows for enhancement on a SDL’s project.
“Is this better work than your last project?”
7. The Law of Feedback
By doing this the SDL strives to embody the new knowledge or skill as a part of them. Mastery happens through feedback and alteration.
8. The Law of Application
How can we inspire SDL? Resources.
Dr. Bull provided a Blog post that he wrote with resources related to self directed learning. You can read the blog post here. Or look at the list of resources below all provided by Dr. Bull from his Blog.
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