About

Last Updated: 6 April 2010

The Canadian Coalition for Self-Directed Learning is an organization of secondary schools throughout Canada that are dedicated to the personalization of learning which takes into account individual student characteristics, talents, interests and academic backgrounds. CCSDL schools believe that learning flourishes in an environment where the learner is able to control and direct their learning. Although each school is unique, there are some common fundamental practices that describe a self-directed school. These fundamental practices are found in all member schools of the coalition.”

Fundamental Practices & Values

Teacher Advisement

The single most important relationship between student and teacher is embodied in the teacher advisor programme. Teachers serve as coaches, mentors, facilitators and guides and stress collaboration and high expectations.

Flexible Scheduling

CCSDL schools utilize various scheduling approaches. However, flexibility in the use of time is integral to each school and permits students to control and direct their learning.

Personalized Programming

Students are presented choices in how they approach learning activities, which allow them to organize their learning in a way, which personalizes their learning experiences.

Collaborative Teaching Environment

Teachers develop learning experiences and assessments in a collaborative and professional environment. Team planning and cooperative delivery are essential components in self-paced schools.

Interactive Learning Environment

In a student centred environment, there is a focus on active learning, reflection and collaboration.

Diagnosis of Student Developmental Characteristics

Personalized instruction begins with an analysis of learning styles, prior knowledge and skills in order to build a learning environment suited to the aptitudes, interests and needs of each student.

Authentic Assessment

Educators support assessment strategies which encourage students to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in a variety of forms in order to support the improvement of learning and as a means to assess the learning.

Continuous Progress

Students learn in different ways and at different rates and each student is at a different place in the learning continuum. The process of continuous progress is one of accountability involving the student, parent and teacher advisor; developing a plan to meet the needs of the learner leading to successful completion of secondary school.

Mastery Learning

CCSDL schools believe that it is important that students learn well and to this end, learning activities are developed in manageable units which require the student to demonstrate mastery of the material before progressing in their course work.