RTCH500
Week 1 Learning Journal: Self-Directed Learner
RTCH500: Research, Writing, and Ministry Preparation (D03)
Liberty University
Week 1 - My Learning Journal: Self-Directed Learner
How would you currently evaluate yourself as a self-directed adult learner?
I tend to be a pragmatist. I like to see how learning can be put into practice and how I can apply
new concepts to real-life situations. I also possess a variety of experiences that are foundational
for continued learning. I have completed virtually of my college education courses through
distance and self-directed learning. With self-directed learning, I do not procrastinate and I take
both the initiative and the responsibility for my own learning. I manage my time well and meet
assignment deadlines in a timely manner. Setbacks and failures are the inevitable part of any
learning process, so I do not allow this to stress me out. Kaiser emphasizes that adults prefer
learning environments that are supportive and stress free.1 However, I have learned that stress
associated with learning new concepts is not always a negative thing. Stress can help me to
embrace both growth and change with a mindset that makes me stronger when things get tough
when breaking out of my comfort zone.
What skills and attitudes do you still need to improve?
Lowe stresses that learning must be lifelong and most of it must take place outside of
classrooms, in real-life situations.2 Not only do I need to continuously strive on improving my
learning methods, I also need to focus better identifying my specific learning goals. This means I
must identify what I wish to learn, then set the specific goals to measure my learning over time. I
also need to learn to not always take all concepts and information at face value. I must learn to
ask question more often and look past the most obvious by asking why and how questions. Lowe
also advises that I must not allow the fear of previous academic failures deter me from
accomplishing my academic goals.3 Instead, I must always seek new challenges for more
significant solutions will help push me out of my comfort zone and help me grow exponentially
as a self-directed learning individual.
My Learning Journal: Adult Learner Characteristics
How would you evaluate the courses you have taken either on campus or online over the
last few years in terms of their sensitivity to how adults learn best?
A great deal of adult learners need flexibility for learning new material when time is best
afforded, since a great deal of us are working full-time jobs. The online classes I have completed
have been asynchronous. This course format has given me lot of flexibility to balance my work
and personal commitments. It really helps to have access to recorded lectures so I am able to go
through course material either in the morning or evening, whenever my time best allows it. I
1 Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., and Moisés Silva. Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics: The Search for Meaning.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009. PDF e-book.
Week 1 Learning Journal: Self-Directed Learner
RTCH500: Research, Writing, and Ministry Preparation (D03)
Liberty University
Week 1 - My Learning Journal: Self-Directed Learner
How would you currently evaluate yourself as a self-directed adult learner?
I tend to be a pragmatist. I like to see how learning can be put into practice and how I can apply
new concepts to real-life situations. I also possess a variety of experiences that are foundational
for continued learning. I have completed virtually of my college education courses through
distance and self-directed learning. With self-directed learning, I do not procrastinate and I take
both the initiative and the responsibility for my own learning. I manage my time well and meet
assignment deadlines in a timely manner. Setbacks and failures are the inevitable part of any
learning process, so I do not allow this to stress me out. Kaiser emphasizes that adults prefer
learning environments that are supportive and stress free.1 However, I have learned that stress
associated with learning new concepts is not always a negative thing. Stress can help me to
embrace both growth and change with a mindset that makes me stronger when things get tough
when breaking out of my comfort zone.
What skills and attitudes do you still need to improve?
Lowe stresses that learning must be lifelong and most of it must take place outside of
classrooms, in real-life situations.2 Not only do I need to continuously strive on improving my
learning methods, I also need to focus better identifying my specific learning goals. This means I
must identify what I wish to learn, then set the specific goals to measure my learning over time. I
also need to learn to not always take all concepts and information at face value. I must learn to
ask question more often and look past the most obvious by asking why and how questions. Lowe
also advises that I must not allow the fear of previous academic failures deter me from
accomplishing my academic goals.3 Instead, I must always seek new challenges for more
significant solutions will help push me out of my comfort zone and help me grow exponentially
as a self-directed learning individual.
My Learning Journal: Adult Learner Characteristics
How would you evaluate the courses you have taken either on campus or online over the
last few years in terms of their sensitivity to how adults learn best?
A great deal of adult learners need flexibility for learning new material when time is best
afforded, since a great deal of us are working full-time jobs. The online classes I have completed
have been asynchronous. This course format has given me lot of flexibility to balance my work
and personal commitments. It really helps to have access to recorded lectures so I am able to go
through course material either in the morning or evening, whenever my time best allows it. I
1 Walter C. Kaiser, Jr., and Moisés Silva. Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics: The Search for Meaning.
Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009. PDF e-book.
