Distance Learning, mLearning, Digital Education, Technology

Peer organized learning communities remind us about an important truth, that learning communities are plentiful and accessible to all. Learning is not a commodity owned and controlled by a select few in power. It is all around us and, with a little time and effort, any small group of interested people can create a wonderful and rewarding learning community.

Learn more:

https://gustmees.wordpress.com/2012/06/27/how-to-use-twitter-with-success-for-education-and-more/

https://gustmees.wordpress.com/2013/02/20/what-you-should-know-about-twitter-chats/

https://gustmees.wordpress.com/2014/07/10/education-collaboration-and-coaching-the-future/

http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching/?tag=Peer-to-Peer-Learning

In this age of abundance of information, shifting classroom pedagogy isn't nearly enough to make learning in school more relevant and authentic for the learner. Self-directed learning (andragogy), and self-determined learning (heutagogy) are the ideals necessary in making students "future ready" to live and learn in a web connected world.

While original research applied these concepts to mature learners, it has become apparent that even young children have an abundant capacity for recognizing and directing their own learning. Anyone who has observed toddlers learning how to walk and talk understand the motivation and skill development that quickly develops during these processes.

Considered by some to be on a learning continuum, self-directed learning and self-determined learning have at least one distinct difference. What is this difference, and why should educators care? - See more at: http://rtschuetz.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/self-directed-vs-self-determined.html?spref=tw#sthash.oSVChVeN.dpuf

Learn more:

- http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching/?tag=andragogy

- http://www.scoop.it/t/21st-century-learning-and-teaching/?tag=Heutagogy

Great insights- this can be applied to other fields as well such as learning techniques to modulate stress and anxiety

Since "upwards of ninety percent of our learning will occur outside formal educational settings" (Jennings, 2010), in the age of abundance of information, students should be motivated to reflect on how they are learning. That is what is self-directed learning