Experiential Methods for Acquiring Self-Knowledge

In this essay, the author

• Analyzes how learners of all ages, elementary to adult, can expand their self-knowledge by exploring their interests and the importance of those interests to their personal satisfaction.
• Explains that self-knowledge is the first of three integral competency areas in the national career development guidelines.
• Opines that experience is integral to knowing and understanding oneself and how one relates to different situations, circumstances, and roles.
• Describes problem-based learning, an instructional model based on constructivism, where learners construct their own understanding by relating concrete experience to existing knowledge.
• Explains that problem-based learning requires students to self-direct their search for a solution by assuming the role of key actors in the problem situation.
• Opines that problem-based learning is essential for students' career development, since students are the real problem solvers.
• Explains how brain-based learning can help students enhance their self-knowledge. understanding the effects of physiology on learning, the importance of focused attention and peripheral perception, and the relation between emotions and learning helps individuals better understand how to improve their learning.
• Explains that new methods of performance assessment can contribute to students' self-knowledge in relation to career development.
• Explains that performance assessments may also be based on criterion-referenced tests that enable students to compare their performance with clearly defined learning tasks or skill levels.
• Explains that the portfolio concept helps educators meet this challenge by giving students ownership of their work and establishing the standards by which they will be measured.
• Explains lock's use of inventories as a way to assess personality in relation to occupational interests. inventories such as the six holland personality environment types, the strong interest inventory and career assessment inventory, and the myers-briggs type indicator can provide students with information about their personality and learning style.
• Argues that self-knowledge requires reflection on what was learned and what needs to be learned, the process by which learning occurred, and how that learning has enhanced what the student knows about himself/herself in relation to work.
• Explains that many educational approaches emphasize the importance of having students take charge of their own learning. students can enhance their awareness of themselves for their career development by continually summarizing and reflecting upon what they are learning as they continue their progression through school and work.
• Explains the use of a structured career development group to increase career identity.
• Explains lester, j. s., and perry, n.s. assessing career development with portfolios. eric digest, greensboro, nc, 1995. lock, r. d. taking charge of your career direction.