From self-directed to self-determined learning: A literature review of student motivation, professional identity and practice

Self-directed and self-determined learning are student-centred teaching and learning approaches whereby learners are actively involved in what is learned and how learning occurs. Given that tertiary institutions are increasingly recognising the value of engaging students as active participants in their learning, it is imperative to enable educators to effectively facilitate a balance of guidance versus autonomy within these frameworks. Integrating career development learning (CDL) principles can support professional skill development and cultivate the capabilities required for self‑directed and self‑determined learning. In this study, a narrative literature review, including over 130 peer-reviewed journal articles, was initially conducted to synthesise current understandings of self-directed and self-determined learning theory and draw conclusions on possible implications for tertiary education practice in the context of career development. Findings emphasised the interplay between student motivation, professional identity and work-integrated learning (WIL), demonstrating how these elements collectively support the development of employability among tertiary students. Furthermore, embedding self-directed and self-determined learning principles in WIL can provide individualised, meaningful ways to build professional identity and employability skills, supporting students’ capacity to make connections, work independently and self-reflect in the context of their target profession. As students work to establish their professional identities and practice their employability skills, underpinned by CDL, they often experience enhanced motivation and deeper connections to academic coursework, which both facilitates and is facilitated by WIL. This paper clarifies current understandings and relationships between these themes and offers practical recommendations to support self-directed learners in work-integrated learning contexts to enhance employability.