What strategies do you use to encourage self-directed learning in your classroom?

There are two general approaches to learning in the classroom: other-directed learning and self-directed learning. Other-directed learning is the traditional method of instruction in which a teacher leads the lesson and students are more passive in their listening and taking notes. It is the method with which teachers are most at ease because they have complete control over what is taught and, in most cases, how students learn. However, self-directed learning became a major educational movement around 1975, and it is proving to be a strategic instructional approach.

SDL involves students taking ownership of their education and working independently to understand their needs, set goals, find resources, and implement learning strategies. Because SDL is commonly used in art education, an interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about how you encourage it in your classroom and whether your approach has been successful. Describe strategies you use to foster a classroom environment that encourages independent learning in your response.

Answer as an example: "As an art teacher, I believe it is critical to assist students in discovering new information on their own and engaging in critical thinking processes. As a result, in my classroom, students complete a variety of self-directed tasks and projects that include goal-setting and learning activities that are relevant to their educational needs and life experiences. These tasks and projects lead up to a final portfolio project in which students create a gallery of their work and demonstrate their ability to self-direct and self-contextualize their learning."