Self-directed learning. How would you overcome a few obsticles.

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Galen, Sep 14, 2009.

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  1. Galen

    Galen New Member

    Hi All,

    I've been considering starting a self-directed learning program for myself for several months now but a few obstacles I've come up against, I was wondering how others would handle them. I figured by using online resources along with the public library, nearby colleges & university libraries (which oddly enough through our interlibrary loan system I have access to a great many books in a nearby university's library) I should be able to learn about virtually any subject I choose (within reason).

    My obstacles:
    1. Developing a curriculum.
    2. Interaction with others.
    3. Verification.

    As for developing a curriculum. I figured I would just go look at my nearby community college website and follow their curriculum for the subject I'm interested in. I'm not sure but is this the best way to develop a plan/path to follow for my "studies."

    Interacting with others. This is a major obstacle for me. How do I interact with others in the areas I want/need to discuss? For instance, discussing literature online is easy to find but finding discussions on Intro to Business or Economics I is a little more difficult to find. Also if I needed an instructor type answer for something I didn't understand where to go? A tutor?

    Verification of what I've learned. After two years of study at a local community college you usually get an associates degree. How would I verify what I've learned after X amount of time to someone (e.g. an employer) . I know in the IT field there are many certifications you can get on your own but I'm interested in studying business.

    Your constructive thoughts on this would be most appreciated more than what you know. Thanks!
     
  2. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Hi Galen - You might consider starting you project by looking at the opencourseware provided by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
    It has everything you'll need on virtually any subject.

    http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/home/index.htm
     
  3. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

     
  4. Galen

    Galen New Member

    Kizmet and Ian y'all have given me a couple of other ways of looking at this. I was aware of the Open Courseware Initiative but I think the courses are at a higher level than what I'm ready for. After looking at the link I believe I could incorporate at least some of the material into my "project." As for CLEP & DSST... I hadn't consider either as ways to verify. But I'll have to look into that more it could be the route to take. Thanks!
     
  5. Malajac

    Malajac Member


    At vocational level / pre-university level, check out University of Cambridge International Examinations,

    http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/vocational/cidb/overview


    http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/vocational/cidb/recognition


    At Master's level, Heriot Watt University Edinburgh Business School distance MBA is flexible enough and I believe awards certificates for each individual course passed (along with credits)

    http://www.ebsglobal.net
     

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