New Era in Children Education: Blended Learning

As many already know, Eye Level is a supplemental education program which originated in Korea about 30 years ago and currently has over 2.5 million children enrolled worldwide. In simple terms, what makes our educational program different is our educational principle where students learn at their own pace. This step is important as we need to prevent a learning gap among students, even though learning could be taking place in a same place. This step helps the teacher to understand the learning needs of a student and create an individualized learning plan to make it most effective.

Understanding of Self-Directed Learning – How SDL helps students’ progress?

What is Self-Directed Learning (SDL)?

According to M. Knowles, the famous American Adult Educator, “self-directed learning describes a process by which individuals take the initiative, with or without the assistance of others, in diagnosing their learning needs, formulating learning goals, identify human and material resources for learning, choosing and implement appropriate learning strategies, and evaluating learning outcomes.”

Under the Self-Directed Learning (SDL) method, students will develop independent learning skills in our Eye Level learning centers. Instructors will provide guidance to students as they move throughout their individualized program. To find out where a student stands, we conduct a Diagnostic Test (DT) to provide insight into the student’s ability and learning needs. This step is important to determine the best place to start the student in the Eye Level curriculum.

Why does Eye Level promote SDL?

Eye Level aims to nurture each Eye Level student who enroll in our program as problem solvers, critical thinkers and lifelong learners.  In order to achieve this, it is very important to develop each student with self-directed learning ability.  Through SDL, students are more self-motivated and willing to take the initiative to achieve their study goal in both Eye Level and school.  This is the main reason why Eye Level aims to instill each student with SDL ability.

How to achieve this?

In order to instill SDL, firstly we need to understand the process of SDL as shown below;

First, a goal need to be set for each student. The goal can be short, medium or long term.  For example, we can set the completion of certain level in a year or aim for student to study equation before going to secondary school. This will help students to have a clear goal and always strive to achieve the target.

Secondly, the right study planning should come in place by the Instructor after careful observation upon enrolment and during study session in the center.  Continuous parents’ feedback are also crucial to ensure the study plan goes smoothly.  

Thirdly, SDL with provide the right amount of academic coaching needed by students during the study period while still emphasising creativity thinking and proactive learning. Instructor need to determine the right amount of study and the necessary coaching needed by students during the study period. If students had difficulty in attempting the question in the booklet, instructor must guide student properly like using the example provided in the booklet and to let them understand the relationship of the topic. Instructor need to make the child think and not simply give answer to them in order to help students develop their SDL ability.

Finally, the whole process will be reviewed and the students’ performance will be analyzed.  Instructor will go through the completed booklet and analyze carefully the booklet result recorded in the progress booklet. If certain adjustment is needed, then instructor will adjust the students’ progress accordingly to ensure effective learning by students.

If we are able to instill each student with SDL ability, they will be able to become proactive learner and self-motivated students. These are the important factors to be successful in learning. Together with the instructor, parents will also need to play their role at home. With SDL ability, we believe that each student can achieve higher in life. Together, let us nurture our children to become SDL learners!

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Article contributed by Eye Level Malaysia. Check out Eye Level website and centre locations to learn more.