Which of the following best defines Self-Directed Learning?

Self-directed learning is best defined as the ability of students to guide their own educational journey. This concept emphasizes the learner's responsibility for their own learning processes, which includes setting goals, determining resources needed, selecting strategies for learning, and self-assessing their progress. This empowers individuals to take initiative, be proactive, and become lifelong learners, as they learn to identify what they need to know and how to acquire that knowledge.

The other options focus on aspects that do not encompass the full scope of self-directed learning. Memorizing content independently and precisely following a teacher's instructions indicate a more passive learning approach, where the learner relies heavily on external guidance rather than taking control of their learning process. Collaborative learning in groups, while valuable, does not capture the essence of self-direction, which is rooted in individual autonomy and self-management in learning.