Self-Directed Learning: Individuals Universalizing Knowledge

Introduction
Historically, individuals have been learning on their own for centuries. In the past thirty years however, more formal research have been conducted on Self-Directed Learning (SDL) to make it among one of the many popular theories in adult education and learning. (Merriam, Caffarella, & Baumgartner, 2007) There are four ways in which learning can take place. It can be done in a formal, non-formal, informal and self-directed manner. The difference between each style in which learning take place, is the ownership of the learner in regards to what and how information is learned and the details of its execution. (Confessore & Kops, 1998) Self-directed learning (SDL) allows the learner to have total control. Throughout the years, many self-directed learners have been elevated to a level where they are respected by their peers and society as an expert.

Timeless Leaders
Greek philosopher Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle has influenced the theories and philosophies that make up the philosophical foundation of adult education. Each individual engaged in a quest to learn more and develop in wisdom. “Skills are more easily learned through experience, and, when an intelligently formed mind gains experience, it can acquire the skills needed for particular situations” (Elias & Merriam, 2005, p. 35). Other great autodidact leaders in time include Michelangelo, Thomas Edison, Malcolm X, and Bill Gates. These leaders have engaged in a quest to learn more for personal development which in turn had a major impact on the society in which they lived. This quest for lifelong learning is a key factor in the liberal educational movement. Malcolm X’s biography mentions that he was greatly inspired and influenced heavily on the works he have read on his own. X covered a variety of material from current affairs to the foundational history of his ancestral roots of Africa. During his lifetime, Malcolm X was fortunate to take a pilgrimage to the holy land of Mecca. There he learned the philosophies of the Eastern culture that changed his world view perspective in which he shared back with other in the West. (Elias & Merriam, 2005) “When asked about his alma mater, he could proudly say that books served as his college. His writing and his life manifested the power of ideas in forging a man and a movement.” (Elias & Merriam, 2005, p. 48) This was a transformational experience for him. All of his prior beliefs, values, and assumptions about white people and black unity were tested as his experience true harmony in Mecca. Since then there has been a substantial change in the way he make meaning of the world and interacted with others (King, 2005).

Commonality of Autodidactic Leaders
In a research study reported in the Journal of Humanistic Psychology, it had identified “40 most prominent characteristics of the biographies” of popular individuals in history who have become experts in various fields, but didn’t receive formal education beyond a high school diploma or GED. Pablo Picasso, Charlie Chaplin, Henry Ford, Walt Disney have influence American culture with their knowledge and talent. The effects have spread throughout the world and decades. Some of the top traits listed included life experiences, natural ability, self-directed learning and perseverance. Self-educated leaders are self motivated, have a sense of purpose, committed to their area of passion and not afraid to do thing differently. Life experience is their best teacher. (Gibbons et al., 1980)

Reaction to research
One can only become fascinated by the biographies of great philosophers and leaders of the world. Many did not complete a formal college education but made remarkable accomplishments. Self-Directed Learning is beneficial to individuals, schools and organizations. The statement is not to negate the value of receiving a college degree, but to show that a bachelor degree or higher is not the only determinate of someone’s potential and influence in the world. It provides for me the hope that I can accomplish anything if I am focus and learn all that I need to become successful. I plan to use this research to discover and develop way to ignite the inner teacher within individuals. The target population would not be limited to GED students, but open to everyone who is motivated for self development through self directed learning.

References
Confessore, S. J., & Kops, W. J. (1998). Self-directed learning and the learning organization: Examining the connection between the individual and the learning environment. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 9, 365-375.
Elias, J. L., & Merriam, S. B. (2005). Philosophical foundations of adult education (3rd ed.). Malabar, FL: Krieger.
Gibbons, V., Bailey, A., Comeau, P., Schmuck, J., Seymour, S., & Wallace, D. (1980). Toward a theory of self-directed learning: A study of experts without formal training. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 20(2), 41-56. doi: 10.1177/002216788002000205
King, K. P. (2005). Brining transformative learning to life. Malabar, FL: Krieger.
Merriam, S. B., Caffarella, R. S., & Baumgartner, L. M. (2007). Learning in adulthood ( ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.