ERIC Number: ED353470
Record Type: RIE
Publication Date: 1991
Pages: 567
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: ISBN-1-55542-303-5
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Self-Direction for Lifelong Learning. A Comprehensive Guide to Theory and Practice.
Candy, Philip C.
This book presents a comprehensive survey and analysis of the concept of self-direction in learning. Part 1 (Chapters 1-3) distinguishes uses and meanings of the term self-direction and provides an historical introduction. Part 2 (Chapters 4-7) contains a more careful analysis of the four principal domains of self-direction: personal autonomy, willingness and ability to manage one's overall learning endeavors, independent pursuit of learning without formal institutional support or affiliation, and learner-control of instruction. Part 3 (Chapters 8-10) reformulates and refracts ideas and concepts traditionally associated with self-direction so that proposals and recommendations made later can be seen as a coherent new way of thinking about and promoting the development of self-direction in learning. Part 4 (Chapters 11-13) examines ways of increasing learners' self-directedness in a variety of contexts and discusses three areas of prerequisite achievement: broad self-management competencies, sufficient familiarity with the subject matter, and attainment of a sense of learning competence. Part 5 (Chapters 14-15) draws together the main arguments and offers a three-part model of ways in which adult educators can enhance people's self-directedness. It examines major approaches that have been influential in the study of self-direction and proposes research topics in and approaches to studying self-direction from an interpretive point of view. Appendixes include a profile of the autonomous learner, a list of competencies with authors, 945 references, and name and subject indexes. (YLB)
Descriptors: Adult Development, Adult Education, Adult Learning, Educational Research, Learner Controlled Instruction, Learning Theories, Lifelong Learning, Personal Autonomy, Research Methodology, Research Needs, Self Determination, Skill Development, Teaching Methods
Jossey-Bass, 350 Sansome Street, San Francisco, CA 94104-1310 ($45).
Publication Type: Books; Guides - Non-Classroom
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Practitioners
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Note: Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education Series.