Lifelong Learning

Lifelong Learning Introduction

Nowadays , the nature of self-directed learning has been the subject of interest by psychologists , adult educators , and other researchers globally (Brockett and Hiemstra 1991 Candy 1991 , and Merriam and Caffarella , 1991 . Basically , self-directed learning is learning that starts with the learner . It is an active process of change which takes place within the learner . For learning to occur , the learner must be so aroused that he will not only initiate the learning activity but will persist in it as well hence he will become a lifelong learner . Any

motivation within the individual which makes him receptive to stimulation is essential to self-directed learning

According to Cross (1992 , the first condition for self-directed learning is one we are all conscious of - motivation . Their needs to be some kind of drive , some kind of motive in to keep learning going on . The social needs are sometimes strong sources of motivation because every human being needs to feel that he belongs to the social group and to have some ways of receiving and giving affection . An adult desire to be a part of a social group , a colleague , is very important source of motivation . Moreover , Brockett and Himestra mentioned that another source of motivation is the great satisfaction that human beings derive from their own activity , especially activity that is meaningful and enables the learner to satisfy interests and to attain worthy goals Hence the main objective of self-directed learning is to satisfy the learner 's curiosity

Common Characteristics of Self-directed Learners

One of the common characteristic of self-directed learners is he is facilitated by his own motives or drives . Needs , interests , and goals are fundamental to self-directed learning process (Brockett and Himestra , 2004 . A desire on the part of the learner to learn gives satisfaction when he or she is doing the act . A learning activity which is self- motivated receives a generous amount of the learner 's energy Interest created during the period of motivation makes for efficiency in self-directed learning . Brockett and Himestra (2004 ) further stated that personal knowledge and understanding of learners` motive in learning are the foundations of self-directed learning . Self-directed learners have various levels of motivation and they assume responsibility for themselves as learners and that self-directedness takes place continuously , a lifelong process

Another characteristic of self-directed learning is readiness . Readiness refers to the degree of craving to learn . It emphasizes further the importance of motivation and the need for the learner to be prepared for the learning activity . This is associated with the law of mind-set which is conducive to self-directed learning A mind-set toward the learning tasks insures attention to it . Readiness is an initial attitude in engaging in a learning activity . Motivation creates a reason for learning . Self- directed learning is one of the best results of the strength of motivation . The desire or urge created during motivation must be maintained for the best development and efficient growth of the learner specifically to become a lifelong learner

In the study...