You often hear that the internet is an incredible resource of information but have you ever considered just how easy it is to learn just about anything in this digital age? No matter your age or where you live you can get similar benefits from learning online as you would in a traditional classroom, and more than 50% of adults in Australia, the USA, and the UK believe it too.  In the early half of 2020, there was a 5x spike in demand for online learning courses and a 6x spike in the latter half of the year.  The momentum continues two years later. Whether it’s the arts, Microsoft Excel, workplace leadership, or self-improvement, there’s an online course for just about anyone interested in learning, upskilling, and reskilling. 

What is Self-Study and Who Can Do It?

Self-study is a method of learning where students take charge of their own studying outside of the classroom, without direct supervision. This allows the student to take control of how, what, when, and where they learn.  This method of studying is preferred by independent learners because they can take learning into their own hands. They assess what information they need, find the resources to supplement their learning, and complete their assessments at their own pace.

Anyone can incorporate self-studying in their own learning practice, not just independent learners. Some researchers consider kids with complex needs a good fit for the self-study learning method as well, with some minor adjustments to better fit their individual needs. Self-studying is also quite useful for anyone who may not have the time to enroll in formal courses, or cannot travel to institutions for those courses. 

Why Is Self-Study Important?

Learners who engage in self-study have the opportunity to enhance their learning experience and improve their studying skills. The learning method encourages learners to go beyond what is available to them in their textbooks and what is taught to them by their instructors.  If the student has a specific topic they want to dive deeper into, they have the freedom to explore that subject even more. They can focus on their interests and develop stronger study skills as a result.  Self-study is also flexible enough to consider the motivation of the learner as well as their time and resources. This is especially helpful for younger learners as in the end, the learner not only gains new knowledge on that specific subject, but self-studying helps build on real-world life skills for kids early on. 

6 Benefits of Self-Studying

1. Encourages students to learn more effectively 

The keyword of self-studying is “independence.” When a student explores a topic on their accord, they are actively engaging with the information. Self-studiers can think about topics more deeply. And because students are engaged and excited about the things they are learning, they can make stronger connections between what they are learning, and remember it better. 

2. Inspires curiosity and motivates further discovery

A great motivator, curiosity can drive students to learn and understand topics better. When students become disengaged with what they are studying, they fall back on memorizing the subject matter rather than truly understanding it.  When students are curious about a topic, they seek out more information regarding that topic that piqued their interest. This ties in with being able to learn effectively, as they go and learn more about that topic and not just rely on what they are taught in class.  

3. Boosts self-esteem 

Self-study helps build a student’s confidence in learning. When they see themselves develop as an independent person, learning new things without anyone helping them, this can be a significant boost in their self-esteem. Motivated learners then feel more inclined to go out there and discover and learn even more 

4. Strengthens problem-solving skills 

Coupled with the student’s independence, they are pushed to become better problem solvers. As the learner is left to their own devices to do their own research and complete any tasks that relate to their self-study, they engage their critical thinking skills to achieve the outcomes they desire.

5. Learning at a comfortable pace 

Self-studying is flexible and molds to the interests of the learner. It allows students to go at their own pace, allowing them to spend more time on topics they want to understand a bit better or focus on subjects they are the most interested in.  Being able to go at a pace that they are most comfortable in also helps reduce feelings of frustration or anxiety that may come with the pressure to stick to a strict learning schedule. Self-studying learners will also feel less bored because they are engaged with the topics they are interested in.

6. Improves time-management skills

Managing one’s time and priorities helps make self-studying more effective. Students are allowed to be self-motivated and less reliant on an instructor to direct how and when they should study. With their autonomy, students learn to plan and become persistent with their studies thoughtfully. 

A New Approach

There is no one-size-fits-all with self-studying, which is why finding a system that best suits your learner’s pace and learning style is essential.  With the right Learning Management System solution, your learner will continue to be engaged in their self-studying and motivated to learn more.

Citations:

Afzal, W. by M. (n.d.). How to motivate learners in an online learning environment. Edly. Retrieved September 1, 2022, from https://edly.io/blog/how-to-motivate-learners-in-an-online-learning-environment/

FutureLearn. (2021, February 22). Self-education, online learning, and the future of Education. FutureLearn. Retrieved September 1, 2022, from https://www.futurelearn.com/info/insights/self-education-online-learning-the-future-of-education

Infographics, eL. (2016, January 28). The principles of instruction infographic - e-learning infographics. e. Retrieved September 1, 2022, from https://elearninginfographics.com/principles-instruction-infographic/

Learning, J. (2022, March 14). Real-world life skills for kids: Juni learning. Online Learning for Kids. Retrieved September 1, 2022, from https://junilearning.com/blog/guide/life-skills-for-kids/

Marker. (n.d.). Retrieved September 1, 2022, from https://markerlearning.com/

What today's self-directed learning trends tell us about the value of modern learning content. Talent Management System: Future-Ready Employee Experience. (n.d.). Retrieved September 1, 2022, from https://www.cornerstoneondemand.com/au/resources/article/what-todays-self-directed-learning-trends-tell-us-about-the-value-of-modern-learning-content/