Conscious Choices: A Model for Self-Directed Learning
Elaine Gray, Ph.D., Rollins College

ISBN-10: 0131129317
ISBN-13: 9780131129313

Publisher: Prentice Hall
Copyright: 2004
Format: Paper; 176 pp
Published: 10/27/2003

Suggested retail price: $24.67
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For courses in Freshman Orientation, Human Development, and Critical Thinking.

Promoting self-directed learning by creating an attitude and emotional readiness to learn, this text shows students how to develop qualities of emotional intelligence, increase critical thinking skills, and integrate personal goals into their decision making process. It delivers powerful concepts designed to create the receptivity, focus, and integrity necessary to master life long learning.

  • Student Perspective Study Skill Connectors—Relates the real life experience of a current college student to the application of chapter concepts.

    • Provides students with a peer-to-peer voice and tone that contrasts with that of the author, and exemplifies the application of the student success skills sets, as well as models a standard for reflective journal writing.

  • Two case studies per chapter—Focus on the application of college study skills and workplace perspectives.

    • Requires students to develop solutions and real life examples in response to the scenarios—and learn conflict management, team building, leadership, and communication.

  • Creation of a community of learners.

    • Encourages group discussion of the case studies—and the synthesis of multiple perspectives and the development of critical thinking skills.

  • Reflective journals—Located throughout each chapter.

    • Prompts students to find relationships to key concepts and make connections with study and life skills.

  • Demonstration of competency—At the end of each chapter.

    • Invites students to share and articulate their mastery of chapter concepts.

  • Chapter-end summaries.

    • Reinforces chapter highlights, and gives students the chance to check their understanding of key content before moving on.

  • A step-by-step process for learning.

    • Enables students to use critical thinking skills to make informed choices and goal directed decisions.

  • Focus on both cognitive and affective skills and techniques.

    • Helps students improve their learning abilities.

  • Interactive exercises throughout.

    • Creates opportunities for students to directly or indirectly apply and experience the concepts and methods in the text.



1. Self Directed Learning: Values and Goals.


2. Choices: Critical Thinking.


3. Attention: Comprehension and Focus.


4. Energy: Mental and Physical Well Being.


5. Emotional Intelligence: Self Mastery.


6. Integrity: Motivation and Accountability.


7. Integration: Time and Learning.


References and Resources.

Elaine Gray, Ph.D. Elaine taught student success courses in the classroom and on-line at Valencia Community College from 1995 to 2001. During this time, she was nominated for Who's Who in American Teachers. She holds a Masters in Liberal Studies from Rollins College and has completed postgraduate work in learning theory at Florida State University. Her Ph.D. from the California Institute of Integral Studies focused on learning and change in human systems. The topic of her dissertation research centered on the study of emotional intelligence in on-line student success courses.

She has worked with publishers as an author, trainer, and developer of Web-based student success curricula. She has an extensive background in multimedia design and audio/video production. Elaine appears as a keynote speaker at student success conferences throughout the country.

Elaine's teaching strategies are influenced by social constructivism as well as active and collaborative learning. She uses dialog and selfreflection as primary teaching tools. In her own studies, she learned firsthand the value of peer-to-peer learning as a method to widen and deepen perspectives. Her emphasis on case studies and reflective inquiry derives from the belief that a student's experiential involvement creates lasting and meaningful learning experiences. This book is grounded in exercises designed to help students become self-directed learners with principle-driven goals. Elaine believes that through conscious choices students can create success and prosperity in life.

Dr. Gray currently teaches at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL.

Sharon Ainsley brings her experience as a college student to the book through writing the Student Perspectives and by providing ideas for the chapter case studies and summary materials.

Sharon began working with Elaine Gray in 1999 as a teaching assistant for an on-line student success course. While performing the roles of wife, mother of three children, full-time college student, and member of the workforce, she learned ways to integrate her choices and balance the values of her life with the demands of the college environment. She believed so profoundly in the value of self-directed learning that she worked for over three years as a student mentor, using her personal experience to help fellow students make similar learning connections for themselves.

Sharon has earned a number of academic distinctions, including the Ellen Knowles Harcourt Foundation Award, the National Communications Foundation Scholarship, National Dean's List recognition, and Who's Who in American junior Colleges awards. She was recently awarded the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship for the 2003-2004 school year. She is currently a computer science major who plans to teach at the university level and conduct research in learning implementations for computer-based artificial intelligence technology in the areas of distance education and learning disabilities. Sharon earned her associate's degree with honors from Valencia Community College. She remains at the top of her class while pursuing her degree at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL.

She dedicates her work here to her husband, Richard, for all his love, support, and inspiration—and to her children, Bastian, Heather, and Monica.

Knowing how to learn has become the ultimate foundational skill that supports success on all levels and in all situations. Conscious Choices delivers powerful concepts designed to create the receptivity, focus, and integrity necessary to master lifelong learning.

When we learn how to connect our values and goals with our moment-to-moment choices, we move toward balance, integration, and well-being in all aspects of life. This text assists learners in developing qualities of emotional intelligence, increasing critical thinking skills, and integrating personal goals into their decision-making processes.

Conscious Choices focuses on four core competencies:

  • Critical thinking
  • Comprehension
  • Motivation
  • Self-mastery

A Companion Website at www.prenhall.com/gray gives students extra opportunities to demonstrate these competencies.

View a Sample Chapter PDF:

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