Knowledge Needed for Self-Directed Learning

Summary of Instructional Problem

Students attending the Supported Communications Program/ Intensive Academic Classroom (SCP/IAC) in kindergarten /first grade must become self-directed learners. Self-directed learners are according to Abdullah (2007), “responsible owners and managers of their own learning process. SDL [Self Directed Learning] integrates self-management (management of the context, including the social setting, resources, and actions) with self-monitoring (the process whereby the learners monitor, evaluate and regulate their cognitive learning strategies).” (What is Self-Directed Learning? Section para. 2). A common Individual Education Program (IEP) goal for all students in the program is to transition into spending 39% of their day in general education (Taylor, Wile E Coyote IEP, 2014, p. 16). Students in every classroom, general and special education, must know and follow rules without reminders, reminders that disrupt the flow of teaching and learning. Self-directed learning is a lifelong skill students must attain. As students internalize rules they become self-directed learners who move from one group activity to another, changing their behavior as needed for the rules of the new activity. According to the Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines children age 5 and entering kindergarten may be able to self-manage by “Changing actions to meet what is expected in different settings and conditions, such as taking shoes off at home, leaving them on at school, and putting boots on in the rain.” (Washington Stae Department of Early Learning, Sate of Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Thrive by Five Washington, 2012, p. 88). Students follow rules as they pertain ...

... middle of paper ...

...disruptions so students ability levels are at grade level or one grade below to allow them transferring out of the IAC program and into general education.

References

Abdullah, M. H. (2007, July 26). Self-Directed Learning. (E. R. Education), Ed.) Retrieved May 2, 2014, from education.com: http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Self_Directed/

Taylor, S. (2014). Wie E Coyote IEP. Individualized Education Program.

Taylor, S. (2014). Wile E Coyoe FBA. Functional Behavior Assessment.

Washington Stae Department of Early Learning, Sate of Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Thrive by Five Washington. (2012, June 8). Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines; Birth through 3rd grade. Retrieved May 2, 2014, from Washington State Department of Early Learning: http://www.del.wa.gov/publications/development/docs/Guidelines.pdf