Self-directed Learing

This weeks class focused on adults as self-directed learners. We broke into groups and discussed an example of a time that we participated in a self-directed learning activity. At first, I had a hard time trying to think of some type of learning I had done outside of the classroom. It seems like I have been in school for so long that I do no other types of learning. The first thing that came to mind was golf. I had no formal lessons, but learned from my Dad and brothers. They were my mentors. I also watched some golf programs on TV, and practice, practice, practice. I did not do any research like some of the other members of my group did for their learning project. This was the only experience I could think of over the last year that I had tried to learn independently and outside of a classroom.
After the group session was finished, we came back together as one large group, and I realized that I was very much a self directed learner. I bought a house on my own last year. They should really give you a first time home buyers manual to help you out. Man was that a learning experience. I installed landscape lights at my house. Hung new light fixtures. Planted new types of flowers that I had to figure out how to take care of. To top off all of that, I had to learn to work a new surround sound and a blackberry. This class made me realize how just how much adults participate in self directed learning. I think technology has played a huge role in expanding the types of learning we can do without a formal setting.