After everyone has completed high school or college, learning needs to continue throughout the life. However, self-directed learning can often become inefficient, not retained, or lead to information overload. But, self-directed learning can, in fact, “be learned” and should be done according to these guidelines:
- Each learner’s unique educational background and cultural differences need to be considered.
- Each learner’s goals and purposes for learning need to be considered.
- Each learner’s desired learning style learning needs to be considered, and there should be learning methods that are more active (e.g. project-based, games, simulations) instead of only passive methods (e.g. lectures, reading).
This site can be used by schools (to introduce students to self-directed and learning), and it can be used for workforce training (to select apps that match a company’s particular training needs), or it can be used by people wanting to learn on their own (depending on individual needs). While formal classroom learning will always be needed and utilized, self-directed learning through K – 12 educational apps that are readily available can also take on a much-needed role for “up skilling”.
For example, suppose a person is interested in programming, but feels like they don’t have the background knowledge and/or confidence to attend a college program. This person could complete a coding app according to his or her own timeline. Since these apps have been designed for K – 12 students, people can start at the level that is most appropriate for them. It is true that there currently exist many on-line learning programs. However, these programs are mostly directed to highly skilled professionals, leaving many learners, especially those who have been less unsuccessful within schools or colleges, with no ways to improve their skills. Educational technology (K – 12) apps that are categorized and explained on this site will allow for:
- self-selection of apps for use by individuals or groups for specific purposes.
- the awarding of certificates for coursework completed, or the awarding of badges for projects completed according to skills obtained from the apps.
You can view the Ed Tech Directory page to find educational technology apps according to your own needs. I hope you find this site useful.