This book redefines teacher in-service education as being less about participation in a program and more about the opportunity for teachers to experience a process of learning that is personally meaningful and contextually relevant to their own teaching practice. The research presented here reveals that teachers have the capacity to think and work differently, yet are rarely provided with opportunities to exercise active decision-making about their personal learning needs. Creating and implementing such an approach involves reimagining all aspects of the learning experience so that teachers are free to articulate their own learning needs and actively work to determine what matters most for their professional practice. The book breaks new ground by drawing from research related to an in-service program where teachers, their experience and professional thinking were deliberately positioned at the centre of the learning experience. Using this evidenced-based approach, it focuses not only on the learning achieved, but also the conditions that enabled teachers to undertake such learning.

Most of our students neither know how learning works nor what they have to do to ensure it, to the detriment both of their studies and their development as lifelong learners.The point of departure for this book is the literature on self-regulated learning that tells us that deep, lasting, independent learning requires learners to bring into play a range of cognitive skills, affective attitudes, and even physical activities – about which most students are wholly unaware; and that self-regulation, which has little to do with measured intelligence, can be developed by just about anyone and is a fundamental prerequisite of academic success.Linda Nilson provides the theoretical background to student self-regulation,the evidence that it enhances achievement, and the strategies to help students develop it. She presents an array of tested activities and assignments through which students can progressively reflect on, monitor and improve their learning skills; describes how they can be integrated with different course components and on various schedules; and elucidates how to intentionally and seamlessly incorporate them into course design to effectively meet disciplinary and student development objectives. Recognizing that most faculty are unfamiliar with these strategies, she also recommends how to prepare for introducing them into the classroom and adding more as instructors become more confident using them.The book concludes with descriptions of courses from different fields to offer models and ideas for implementation. At a time of so much concern about what our students are learning in college and how well prepared they are for the challenges of tomorrow’s economy and society, self-regulated learning provides a reassuring solution, particularly as studies indicate that struggling students benefit the most from practicing it.

This volume focuses on assessing students' abilities as self-directed learners. The authors use 'triangulation' to ensure that the assessment system is balanced and complete.

Abstract: This book provides a comprehensive, practical guide to the theory and practice of adult education. The text is intended for students of adult education, teachers, trainers, administrators, program planners, and activity leaders. Topics include: the emerging role and technology of adult education; lifelong learning; organizing and administering programs of adult education; assessing needs and interests; evaluating programs; and, helping adults learn.

For the learner; For the teacher; ; Climate setting and relationship building; Diagnosing learning needs; Formulating objectives; Using learning strategies and resources; Evaluation.

The Self-Directed Learning Handbook offers teachers and principals an innovative program for customizing schooling to the learning needs of individual students-- and for motivating them to take increasing responsibility for deciding what and how they should learn. Whether the students are struggling or proficient, the program is designed to nurture their natural passion for learning and mastery, challenging them to go beyond the easy and familiar so they can truly excel. The program can be introduced in stages in any middle or high school classroom and enables students of diverse abilities to design and pursue independent course work, special projects, or even artistic presentations, community field work or apprenticeships. Using this approach, the students take on an increasingly autonomous, self-directed role as they progress. The heart of the program is the action contract (or learning agreement) whereby the student sets challenging yet attainable goals, commits to a path for achieving them, and evaluates the results. Special emphasis is placed on developing skills and competencies that can serve the student well in his or her academic and career endeavors.