An evidence-based approach to strengthen student learning, engagement, and success in online and hybrid courses.
Overview
“[Growth mindset] teaches you that it doesn’t matter where you’re starting as long as you are engaged in the courses and with your peers and your teachers – that you are able to grow in that area.”
– Neyeli Dominguez, Odessa College student and study participant
“[Growth mindset] teaches you that it doesn’t matter where you’re starting as long as you are engaged in the courses and with your peers and your teachers – that you are able to grow in that area.”
– Neyeli Dominguez, Odessa College student and study participant
The Self-Directed Learning (SDL) Instructional Model is a set of research-based strategies designed to help college students more effectively manage their learning in online and hybrid courses.
Created by the Postsecondary Teaching with Technology Collaborative in collaboration with researchers and college educators across the U.S., the model offers college instructors a practical, easy-to-implement approach for supporting the development of essential student learning skills, including planning, reflection, help-seeking, and growth mindset.
The model includes three strategies: self-directed learning videos, reflective prompts, and student-peer interaction and networking (SPIN). These strategies can be used individually or together to reinforce key motivational, metacognitive, and applied learning processes critical for student success.
The model is intentionally designed to be flexible and low-burden. Activities can be implemented within most existing learning management systems and require minimal additional instructional time.
Easily Embedded Instructional Strategies
Why It Matters
Online courses increase students’ access to postsecondary education but also present challenges for learning and success. They can be socially isolating, making it hard for students to connect with instructors and classmates, and they require students to more actively and independently manage their learning.
The SDL Instructional Model addresses these challenges by embedding supports directly into courses using a variety of delivery methods. These supports are designed to help students:
- Develop a stronger sense of belonging and connection
- Build confidence and self-efficacy
- Plan and manage their time effectively
- Reflect on their learning and adapt strategies
- Seek help and use available resources
Through extensive research, the Collaborative has found that these strategies are simple to implement, valued by instructors and students, and associated with improvements in learning behaviors and course outcomes.
Real-world Impact
What’s Included
Explore the model based on your professional role:
- Instructors: The Course Implementation Guide provides practical guidance and ready-to-use materials for integrating the model into courses.
- Leaders and Administrators: The Campus Resource Guide includes practical tips and strategies for supporting adoption and scaling across departments and institutions.
- The Science Behind the Model: This section includes key findings, reports, briefs, and other resources detailing the theory and research that informed the model’s design.