What is Learned Dependence

With the ever higher costs of human-led instruction, much of adult electronic learning (e-learning) has become automated, independent, dispersed to open-source locales, and open learning. There has been a growing focus on adult learner self-initiative in identifying and pursuing learning opportunities independently. Such discovery learning is not just for practical and informal work but has now reached well into formalized trainings and deeper lifelong learning. This phenomenon has led to a variety of methods for adult learner self-assessment of their own learning—ranging from pre-determined scripted responses to live human feedback to mixed-methods feedback. Feedback loops for learner self-assessment are critical to support learner engagement, actual learning, learner self-efficacy, decision-making, skills acquisition, and human development; these also enhance mutually supportive collaborations and innovations between co-learners; and they enable workplace and higher education credentialing needs. This chapter highlights the importance of self-assessments and learner feedback in e-learning, and proposes some foundational design strategies.