Self-directed learning can make the process of learning more enjoyable and allow students to personalise the learning experience, which is empowering and motivating.
Prof Elsa Mentz, director of the Research Unit Self-Directed Learning from the North-West University (NWU), is a true advocate for self-directed learning in higher and school education. She firmly believes that it not only enables students to take responsibility for their own learning, but also equips them with the necessary skills for both the 21st century and 4th Industrial Revolution.
Her dedication and expertise earned her the Lifelong Contribution in Promoting Self-Directed Learning in Praxis, Theory and Research Award* during the 7th International Self-Directed Learning Conference on 7 November.
The citation accompanying the award reads that under her visionary leadership, the NWU’s Research Unit for Self-Directed Learning has become a leading entity in the field, setting standards for excellence in research.
This is not her first accolade for her impactful work. Prof Elsa previously received the prestigious Malcolm Knowles Award and has been notified that she will receive the Education Association of South Africa (EASA) Medal of Honour in January 2025 for her contributions in the field of self-directed learning.
Support from fellow travellers
Prof Elsa is honoured by the award bestowed upon her in November but also mentioned that she would not have been able to do it alone. “Colleagues from the NWU as well as from other institutions held my hand and kept me focused. I would like to pay tribute to every key role player and colleague who crossed my path, travelled with me and shaped me as a researcher. There are too many to name; they were my mentors who became friends and carried me when the road was full of potholes and unexpected challenges. They believed in me and shared my passion.”
She says on a personal note, her husband, Kobus, and her three children always supported her. “
Lastly Soli deo Gloria – to God all glory!”
“Her dedication to fostering self-directed learning, coupled with her commitment to the professional growth of postgraduate students and academic staff, makes her a truly deserving recipient of this award,” says her colleague, Prof Josef de Beer.
Self-directed learning enhances learning experiences
“When learners have control over their learning, they must identify their own learning needs, set their own learning goals, make their own decisions on how to achieve the goals and evaluate their progress,” says Prof Elsa. “As a result, it builds confidence and strengthens critical thinking skills, and learners become more motivated and creative, making the learning experience more meaningful and often resulting in innovative problem solving.”
Prof Elsa says this is why she has dedicated her career to promoting self-directed learning. “It was a struggle since 2010 in our faculty to establish a focus for our research. This changed in 2014 when the NWU approved the Research Focus Area Self-Directed Learning.” The Faculty of Education also approved self-directed learning as a strategic priority for teaching and learning, and in 2017 NWU included self-directed learning in the formal Teaching and Learning Plan as a strategic priority.
“This was one of the milestones on my SDL journey! In 2020 we were upgraded to a research unit and grew from eight researchers in 2013 to 70 researchers today. What we realised then, and it is still the case today – if you want to contribute to excellence in teaching and learning research, your research will also need to contribute to self-directed learning, which forms an integral part of teaching and learning in the 21st century,” she concludes.
*More about the award
Prof Elsa is only the second recipient to receive the Lifelong Contribution in Promoting Self-Directed Learning in Praxis, Theory and Research Award. The first recipient was radio presenter Johan van Lill of Radio Sonder Grense (RSG) in 2021.
The award, which was instituted by the NWU’s Research Unit Self-Directed Learning, was initially earmarked only for external recipients so as to motivate the promotion of self-directed learning beyond the NWU. The Self-Directed Learning executive committee decided to overrule the initial decision and include staff who are committed to the self-directed learning cause.
Prof Elsa Mentz, director of the NWU’s Research Unit Self-Directed Learning, receives the award for her lifelong commitment to promoting self-directed learning, with her is Dr Sukie van Zyl.
