Self-directed learning: stories from industry

We report preliminary results from an ongoing investigation of how computing professionals perceive and value self-directed learning, based on a qualitative analysis of interviews with ten computing professionals. The professionals expect that future colleagues will have a well-developed ability to learn on their own. They indicate that professionals use a range of resources, strategies, and collaborators to help them learn. They find their work-related self-directed learning enjoyable, expressing a sense of confidence and pride; yet they often also find it to be a stressful never-ending process.