Gerald Grow's Website

Copyright 1991, 1996 by Gerald Grow Last updated March 20, 1996

Teaching Learners to be Self-Directed

A Personal Note. In the summer of 2009, I will retire after teaching college journalism for 24 years, and I would like to re-engage with the kinds of educational issues that this article has become widely appreciated for raising. I am willing to consider consulting, temporary positions, and similar activities. -- Publication history: The print version of this article appeared in Adult Education Quarterly, Vol. 41, No. 3, Spring 1991, pp. 125-149, and has been widely reprinted for use in course readings and information packets given to new teachers. Permission to reprint this article. About the online version. Some recent presentations by the author on this subject. Make a humorous visual aid to help teach the concept of self-direction in learning, the Self-Direction Spray.

For a quick overview: read the Abstract see Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3. Figures 1 and 2 summarize the idea behind this paper. see the Cartoons on Teaching Styles (new to the on-line version).

"Teaching Learners to be Self-Directed" by Gerald Grow Abstract I. Introduction II. The Model Situational Leadership Assumptions The Problem of Defining Self-Direction Figure 1:The Staged Self-Directed Learning Model Stage 1: Learners of Low Self-Direction Stage 2: Learners of Moderate Self-Direction Stage 3: Learners of Intermediate Self-Direction Stage 4: Learners of High Self-Direction III. Implications for Teaching Mismatches between Teaching Styles and Learning Stages Figure 2: Match and Mismatch between Learner and Teacher Discussion of Mismatches Good Teaching Some Traps for Teachers IV. Applying the Model in Curriculum, Course, and Class Figure 3: Applying the Staged Self-Direction Model to a Course V. Implications for Research Further Discussion of the Ideas in this Article "In Defense of the Staged Self-Directed Learning Model" -- a followup article. Visuals: Figure 1:The Staged Self-Directed Learning Model Figure 2: Match and Mismatch between Learner Stages and Teacher Styles Figure 3: Applying the Staged Self-Direction Model to a Course Cartoons on Teaching Styles References Notes About the author For permission to reprint this article Referencing this publication