There seems to be a clear consensus that self-direction is essential in our rapidly changing society. It is important for the learning that takes place in school, at work and in daily life. While we have heard a lot about the importance of skill development in the past few decades, there is a growing recognition that we also need to look more at what helps us respond to change. Educators, academics, business leaders, and policy-makers are putting increasing emphasis on the importance of teamwork, social skills, problem-solving, initiative, and lifelong learning.

The literacy practitioners interviewed for this project were clear about the importance of this area. They described the ways in which self-awareness, self-esteem, and motivation all have a powerful impact on students’ learning. These factors also seem to be critical in adapting to new learning situations, setting goals, and achieving these goals within particular learning environments.