The Self-Directed Learning (SDL) Instructional Model offers college educators three evidence-based strategies to help college students manage their online learning better. These strategies tackle key challenges of online learning by helping students cultivate habits that are strongly related to student success, including developing a sense of belonging that builds social connections, planning time for coursework, reflecting on progress to develop confidence and self-efficacy, and learning how to seek help when needed.
The SDL Instructional model includes three evidence-based strategies to help college students manage their online learning better. These strategies are:
Self-directed learning videos: 10-minute videos with a corresponding set of reflection questions. These videos, informed by real student experiences, focus on sense of belonging, growth mindset, and time management.
Self-directed learning prompts: A series of prompts embedded throughout the course. The prompts encourage students to plan and reflect on their learning in the course. The prompts include short-answer questions that can be assigned at any point during the course, an assessment wrapper tied to major graded assignment, and an end-of-term message to a future student.
Student-peer interaction & networking (SPIN): Instructor-integrated activities for online students to support each other, including introductory questionnaires and group assignments or online work sessions.
The instructional model was co-developed with faculty and administrators and piloted at five broad access institutions. The model is freely available. By using the following two guides, college educators can get started with the model.
Course Implementation Guide [Draft]
This step-by-step guide for course instructors – currently in draft form – provides detailed instructions for integrating the model’s strategies into online courses. The guide features “copy and paste” text for any learning management system, as well as possible adaptations, integration tips, and examples.
Campus Resource Guide [Draft]
With this strategic guide, campus instructional leaders can develop a plan for faculty adoption of the instructional model. The guide – currently in draft form – features tips and guides for institutional leaders, materials for an introductory workshop to introduce the model, and professional development materials for more in-depth faculty support.