Self Directed Learning

Self-directed learning is our point of difference at Ao Tawhiti, but it's not easy to do well. What and how you learn might look different, depending on what you're trying to do for SDL. On this page you can find tips for Inquiry SDL, Skill-based SDL and Design SDL as well as some places to go for inspiration.

Inquiry SDL - Finding things out

An inquiry framework is helpful when you're interested in finding out about a topic, place, person, historical event, issue, or anything for that matter. Here's a bunch of resources to guide you through an inquiry process.

Collect - Connect - Create Inquiry framework

Collect - connect - create

This simple and versatile framework is useful for guiding you through the key stages of any type of inquiry project.

SDL structured Inquiry Book

Inquiry Book

If you like a bit more structure, try working through this inquiry book.

The Inquiry Process

This graphic gives a useful overview of the inquiry process and the questions you might ask along the way.

Improving a skill:

If your SDL focuses on improving a skill, check out these ideas to help you push yourself so you keep improving. Maybe you're trying to get better at playing a musical instrument, drawing, crochet, mountain biking, or something else...

Tips for getting better at any skill:

Practise! - Get into a good routine and start putting in the hours
Break it down - identify the sub-skills you need and work on the most important ones first
Seek to improve - challenge yourself; reflect and self-assess; look for new tips, strategies and techniques; find a coach or mentor or even just a role model; seek critique and act on the feedback

How to learn anything - TED Talk

Check out this TED talk, where Josh Kaufman explains how you can get really good at any skill in just 20 hours - if you know how to go about it.

Designing something:

Design processes vary, but the resources below show the steps in a typical design process. If your SDL involves designing something, or finding a solution to a problem, take a look at these.

Design thinking in action

Stages in a typical design process

Find inspiration:

TEDEd

Watch short videos on a range of interesting and relevant topics.

Sustainable Development Goals

Find out more about the UN's Sustainable Development Goals

Science project ideas

https://www.sciencekids.co.nz/projects.html

Take an online course:

About Lynda

Online courses you can access with your CCC public library membership. Courses include photography, animation, marketing, web design and much, much more.