Introduction
It is not possible to define personal responsibility without first discussing what it means to be responsible. Responsibility is consciousness about tasks, duties and obligations. It is the ability to take action about some aspects of life – be it health, education, politics, environment and the like.
This sense of consciousness becomes critical when it focuses on an individual. The need to perform tasks related to health, education, politics and the environment becomes an individual obligation. It is at this point that we talk about personal responsibility.
This is the ability of an individual to be answerable about an obligation. It is the consciousness by an individual to bear a burden in life by their own free will. No one can be forced to take responsibility. It has to flow naturally. It must be an agreement between a person’s mind and spirit – a response of deeply seated willingness and choice. It must never be coerced or demanded.
The distinguishing characteristic of personal responsibility – In the world, there are several causes that someone can get involved in. It is remarkable to be involved in making the world a better place. Without personal responsibility, not much can be accomplished in the world.
Throughout history, people have had to sacrifice and take personal responsibilities towards creating a better place for all human beings to live. Personal responsibility is a symbol of maturity. It is easier to distinguish a responsible person from an irresponsible person.
One of the distinct characteristics of personal responsibility is the consciousness to fulfil personal promises. It is the sincerity with which an individual keeps their own word. This has to be intentional and well planned. It leaves no room for excusing personal failures and inconsistencies especially when taking care of obligatory responsibilities.
It requires knowledge of causal responsibility. Personal responsibility means getting involved in things for which one is liable. This discourages the individual from omissions that could hurt many others. Taking personal responsibility means that failure would attract penalty or reprimand.
This calls for a clear understanding of the purpose for which personal responsibility is necessary. The commitment to do an excellent job depends on the understanding of what it is that should be done.
It is a strategy for success by students. Every student has a moral obligation and responsibility to study strategically and excel in whatever areas of their specialty. Being a student is not in itself an easy task. This is because students have to put up with a lot of personal struggles and challenges in pursuit of education.
It requires dedication and focus. A student must be willing to learn and have an attitude that fosters active learning. Students must deal with voices that make it difficult to excel in their studies. These include public, private and inner voices. Students have to learn the art of personal responsibility in order to remain purposeful and focused (Royston, 1998, 16).
Personal responsibility becomes a strategy to make students succeed in their studies. They should be challenged to develop personal discovery statements and challenged to work around them. The statements should reflect the student’s personal thoughts, feelings and aspirations.
Personal values, truths and other beliefs should also form part of the student’s discovery statements. The student’s instructors should ensure that students demonstrate consciousness towards their role as students. The instructors should ensure that the statements developed by the students make their intentions easily observable and positive. They should use a sign of discomfort to help push the students beyond their comfort zones (Ellis, 2011, 7).
Personal responsibility as an integrated learner centered teaching approach. Teaching is a difficult responsibility. The teaching staff do not have the power to force students to learn. The responsibility of the staff has to do with developing relevant and useful content materials for teaching.
They have to demonstrate the ability to prepare content materials that intrigue and cause students to ask questions. The aim of the educationist is to arouse the students’ interest to learn. The other personal responsibility of student instructors is to lead the students to viable learning resources once their interest to learn gets captured.
They also have a personal responsibility or obligation to follow through the process of learning by students. They have to monitor the entire learning process by the students. What every instructor should do best is to challenge students to learn. They must understand that no one can learn for them. They have to realize that learning is vital for them to achieve their dreams and visions in life (Weimer, 2002, 104).
Conclusion
Life is full of obligations, duties and tasks. We get surrounded by obligations left, right and everywhere. We must identify obligations and study them thoroughly. This prompts preparedness and undying consciousness towards the execution of those obligations.
Personal responsibility is the ability by individuals to respond diligently and with commitment towards their personal obligations. Personal responsibility is a crucial strategy towards success by students. It encourages learner – teaching approaches within the education sector.
References
Ellis, D. (2011). Becoming a Master Student. Boston: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning.
Royston, M. (1998). Finding a Voice: Personal response to A Level English. England: Stanley Thornes (Publishers) Ltd.
Weimer, M. (2002). Learner-Centered Teaching: Five Key Changes to Practice. San Francisco: John Wiley & Sons Inc.