Join us at the STEM Educators Conference on September 23, 2025 for STEM educators to explore new ideas, strategies, and inspiration for reimagining STEM teaching and learning.
Empowering Self-Directed Learners: Embedding Pedagogical Supports in STEM Courses
Tuesday, September 23, 2:00-2:45 pm CT
Students in introductory STEM courses encounter challenges in online environments that frequently manifest as low student engagement. This session will present a set of instructional resources designed to strengthen students’ self-directed learning (SDL) skills, boost their motivation and engagement, and help them manage their learning in online courses. STEM faculty participants will: a) increase their knowledge of an evidence-based SDL framework and a set of three mutually reinforcing processes that help students stay motivated, set goals, plan their approach to learning, and follow-through on that plan, b) learn about instructional strategies that support SDL and how they can be embedded in online courses, c) gain access to an innovative SDL Instructional Model that faculty can embed in online courses to support student learning and success.
Presenters
- Ellen Wasserman, Research Associate, Community College Research Center
- Hannah Cheever, Senior Education Researcher, SRI Education
Materials
- Self-Directed Learning Instructional Model: Course Implementation Guide (DRAFT, Fall 2025)
- Self-Directed Learning Instructional Model: Campus Resource Guide (DRAFT, Fall 2025)
- Getting Started with the Instructional Model: Workshop Slides (DRAFT, Fall 2025)
- Event slides
Learn more on the Conference program website.
Categories: Past Event