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This does not mean we cannot develop self-directed learners while in school. If you look at the differences between pedagogy, andragogy, and heutagogy, you will see how a key feature in andragogy is how motivation comes from internal sources; less than through external recognition, we start to value learning for the changes we see within ourselves. I would argue that this move from external to internal motivation for learning is a key step if we are to become, and develop, self-directed learners.
In HS, we are attempting to move away from providing grades on every piece of work, towards more formative feedback which students pay attention to and use to reflect on how they can improve their learning. We are also reflecting on the nature of the tasks students are completing, working to make sure that these are meaningful. The sense of achievement students get from producing a quality piece of work and the associated feedback they receive contribute to those internal aspects of self-esteem and confidence that give real, personal value to the work and the learning and help them see purpose in learning itself.
Parents and guardians can help us in this by asking students about the work they’re completing and what they’re learning from it. By focusing on the experiences of learning, by engaging in critical discussion about the ideas being explored, and by creating real-world links to the learning, parents and guardians reinforce the message that the learning journey and personal challenge along the way are the important part of the process. In the long run, it is not what we learn, but the ability to learn and to direct our own learning, that is most important.
Bibliography
Albert Woolson. (2019). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Albert_Woolson&oldid=896642099
The Difference Between Pedagogy, Andragogy, And Heutagogy. (n.d.). Retrieved 12 May 2019, from https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/a-primer-in-heutagogy-and-self-directed-learning/
"...this move from external to internal motivation for learning is a key step if we are to become, and develop, self-directed learners."