LOGO WITH TEXT - Planeticnet | Education
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Categories
  • Malaysia
Menu
  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
  • Categories
  • Malaysia
Search
Home Concept

Stages Of A Self-Directed Learning Model [Latest 2022]

Planetic Net by Planetic Net
March 27, 2025
in Concept, Goal, Knowledge, Uncategorized, Understanding, Wisdom
481
0
self directed learning stages - Planeticnet | Education

self directed learning stages

422
SHARES
1.1k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsappShare on TelegramShare on EmailShare on Wechat
Contents hide
1 Stage 1: Dependent (Teacher as Authority and Coach)
2 Stage 2: Interested (Teacher as Motivator and Guide)
3 Stage 3: Involved (Teacher as Facilitator)
4 Stage 4: Self-Directed (Teacher as Consultant and Delegator)
5 The Purpose of Self-Directed Learning
6 Additional Resources:

by TeachThought Staff

Self-Directed Learning is not a new concept, but it’s often misunderstood—especially in the context of K-12 classrooms.

In a prior reflection, Terry Heick explored the relationship between self-directed learning and the true purpose of education:

“The goal of the model isn’t content knowledge (though it should produce that), but rather something closer to wisdom—learning how to learn, understanding what’s worth understanding, and perhaps most importantly, analyzing the purpose of learning (e.g., personal and social change). It also encourages the students to examine the relationship between study and work—an authentic ‘need to know’ with important abstractions like citizenship and legacy.”

Self-directed learning is gaining traction as educators look to modernize instructional practices. As dissatisfaction with traditional schooling grows, and with the wealth of online resources available in the age of information, it’s a powerful framework to help learners thrive independently. This model, popularized by Gerald Grow, breaks the journey into four stages of self-directed learning—closely mirroring the gradual release of responsibility teachers already know well.

self-directed learning stagesself-directed learning stages

Stage 1: Dependent (Teacher as Authority and Coach)

At this stage, students rely almost entirely on teachers to introduce knowledge, provide structure, and guide their learning. They lack the confidence and skills to learn independently.

  • Teacher’s Role: Act as a coach and authority, offering clear instructions and immediate feedback to build foundational skills.
  • Practical Strategies:
    • Introduce students to new ideas via direct instruction, guided practice, and scaffolding.
    • Use adaptive platforms like Khan Academy for structured, skill-building exercises.
    • Create safe opportunities for students to take small risks without fear of failure.

Stage 2: Interested (Teacher as Motivator and Guide)

Students begin to demonstrate curiosity and start taking initiative but still rely on the teacher for structure and encouragement.

  • Teacher’s Role: Motivate and guide students, fostering engagement through connections to real-world experiences.
  • Practical Strategies:
    • Use real-world, project-based learning to make content meaningful and inspire inquiry.
    • Gamify lessons with tools like Classcraft or Quizizz to sustain engagement.
    • Include lessons about goal-setting and self-management, helping students explore their own interests within structured parameters.

Stage 3: Involved (Teacher as Facilitator)

Here, students take an active role in their own learning. They can set goals, collaborate with peers, and manage tasks with minimal supervision.

  • Teacher’s Role: Facilitate by being a guide on the side, promoting student-led activities while offering support when needed.
  • Practical Strategies:
    • Encourage student-driven collaboration through group projects or seminar-style discussions. Use tools like Google Workspace to support teamwork.
    • Introduce inquiry-based learning, fostering critical thinking as students use research to ask and answer their own questions.
    • Provide students with choice menus or flexible frameworks for projects, giving them autonomy while maintaining boundaries.

Stage 4: Self-Directed (Teacher as Consultant and Delegator)

Students now take full responsibility for their learning, independently setting goals, tracking progress, and seeking resources. Teachers shift into a consulting role, offering feedback and support only as requested.

  • Teacher’s Role: Act as a consultant or delegator, stepping aside to let students take ownership.
  • Practical Strategies:
    • Assign passion projects or independent research tasks to encourage autonomy.
    • Use tools like Notion or reflective learning journals for tracking goals and progress.
    • Incorporate peer-network accountability, where students share goals and provide feedback to each other.

The Purpose of Self-Directed Learning

The ultimate aim of self-directed learning isn’t just mastering content but achieving something closer to wisdom—learning how to learn and understanding why learning matters. This model encourages students to explore the relationship between studying and real-world applications like work, citizenship, and personal growth.

With effective guidance through these four stages, self-directed learners uncover their need to know and build skills that transcend the classroom. It’s not just about knowledge—it’s about preparing students to adapt, grow, and innovate in a constantly changing world.

Additional Resources:

The Four Stages Of The Self-Directed Learning Model

Learner                            Teacher

Stage 1   Dependent        Authority, Coach

Examples: Coaching with immediate feedback. Drill. Informational lecture. Overcoming deficiencies and resistance.

Stage 2:  Interested          Motivator, Guide

Examples: Inspiring lecture plus guided discussion. Goal-setting and learning strategies.

Stage 3:  Involved             Facilitator

Examples: Discussion faciliated by the teacher who participates as equal. Seminar. Group projects.

Stage 4:  Self-Directed     Consultant, Delegator

Examples: Internship, dissertation, individual work or self-directed study group.

Theories of Teaching and Learning: The Staged Self-Directed Learning Model, G.Grow. from Barbara Stokes; Four Stages Of A  Self-Directed Learning Model

TeachThought’s mission is to promote critical thinking and innovation education.

Previous Post

Trump administration requests Supreme Court to halt teacher training grants [Latest 2022]

Next Post

Word of the Day: spacewalk [Latest 2022]

Related Posts

fan fic sev top facebookJumbo - Planeticnet | Education
HBO

What TV Show, Movie or Book Would You Rewrite the Ending To? [Latest 2022]

by Planetic Net
May 9, 2025
AdobeStock Editorial Use Only scaled - Planeticnet | Education
Charter school

Feds want to expand on unsafe schools; offers more guidance to states [Latest 2022]

by Planetic Net
May 9, 2025
SanFranciscoSinkingGetty x - Planeticnet | Education
Flood

America’s Largest Cities, Including San Francisco, Are Quietly Sinking [Latest 2022]

by Planetic Net
May 9, 2025
nat ai schools vmpq facebookJumbo - Planeticnet | Education
ChatGPT

What Students Are Saying About Using A.I. for Schoolwork [Latest 2022]

by Planetic Net
May 9, 2025
VTS LN jlch facebookJumbo - Planeticnet | Education
Image

What’s Going On in This Picture? [Latest 2022]

by Planetic Net
May 9, 2025
Depositphotos L - Planeticnet | Education
Altamura

Digital Reading vs. Physical Reading: Which Pays Off? [Latest 2022]

by Planetic Net
May 9, 2025
AdobeStock Editorial Use Only scaled - Planeticnet | Education
Alan Garber

Trump Administration threatens Harvard University with loss of federal grants [Latest 2022]

by Planetic Net
May 9, 2025
Strategiesa - Planeticnet | Education
Reading

Context Clues in Reading: 7 Strategies [Latest 2022]

by Planetic Net
May 8, 2025
Next Post
WOTD spacewalk facebookJumbo - Planeticnet | Education

Word of the Day: spacewalk [Latest 2022]

WOTD talisman facebookJumbo - Planeticnet | Education

Word of the Day: talisman [Latest 2022]

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

fan fic sev top facebookJumbo - Planeticnet | Education

What TV Show, Movie or Book Would You Rewrite the Ending To? [Latest 2022]

May 9, 2025
AdobeStock Editorial Use Only scaled - Planeticnet | Education

Feds want to expand on unsafe schools; offers more guidance to states [Latest 2022]

May 9, 2025
SanFranciscoSinkingGetty x - Planeticnet | Education

America’s Largest Cities, Including San Francisco, Are Quietly Sinking [Latest 2022]

May 9, 2025
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
gettyimages custom e a d a b e d d a a x - Planeticnet | Education

Is Your House at Risk of a Wildfire? This Online Tool Could Tell You

0
indicators of authentic mobile learningc - Planeticnet | Education

9 Indicators Of Authentic Mobile Learning

0
Books to Read to Comfort After a Tragedy - Planeticnet | Education

Books to Read With Kids After a Tragedy

0
GettyImages - Planeticnet | Education

Generating Leads With An Authoring Tool Listing In The eLearning Industry Directory

0
fan fic sev top facebookJumbo - Planeticnet | Education

What TV Show, Movie or Book Would You Rewrite the Ending To? [Latest 2022]

May 9, 2025
AdobeStock Editorial Use Only scaled - Planeticnet | Education

Feds want to expand on unsafe schools; offers more guidance to states [Latest 2022]

May 9, 2025
SanFranciscoSinkingGetty x - Planeticnet | Education

America’s Largest Cities, Including San Francisco, Are Quietly Sinking [Latest 2022]

May 9, 2025
nat ai schools vmpq facebookJumbo - Planeticnet | Education

What Students Are Saying About Using A.I. for Schoolwork [Latest 2022]

May 9, 2025
LOGO WITH TEXT - Planeticnet | Education
Planetic.net | Education is a free website that has been designed to help students and a one stop hub for students seeking for information on scholarship, education, school and university tips and updates on different issues relating to education.
About Us

Useful links

  • Technology
  • Tool
  • Computer
  • Science
  • Robotics
  • Malaysia
  • Leadership

Quick Link

  • Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Other

  • Main site
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Health & Fitness
  • Travel
  • App

© 2022 Planetic.net. All rights reserved.

Newsletter - Planeticnet | Education

WANT MORE?

SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE LATEST UPDATES AND NEWS, PLUS SOME EXCLUSIVE TIPS!