A traditional learning methodology known as self-directed learning (SDL) is used in this study as a foundation to design a learning management system that can help college students improve their abilities to self-manage and monitor their overall learning activities and performances. Such capabilities have been shown in past research as being critical to success in online learning environments. While research has demonstrated that SDL skills exist to a degree in all learners and that their competency levels can change, this study investigates whether students' SDL abilities can improve as a result of using a designed personal learning system, the Self-Directed Learning Management System (SDLMS). SDLMS is aimed at enabling students to be more proactive in planning, organizing, and monitoring their course activities. The features of SDLMS are design-based activities that are deemed critical according to literature on SDL and its related fundamental concepts. An exploratory study indicates that while learners feel it is very important to manage their online learning activities, they do not have a comprehensive systematic process. Study participants strongly agree that they would benefit from a tool that empowers them to actively interact and collaborate with others, tracks various course- related tasks, and measures milestones as a means to provide a self-monitoring mechanism to achieve learning goals. Whereas conventional face-to-face educational settings have benefitted from a considerable number of cognitive tools and strategies, a limited number of tools exist to support the cognitive processes for online learning and other technology-enhanced learning environments. In this study, a personalized learning system is designed and developed as a means to enable learners to take an active role in their online learning process with steps of setting goals, identifying resources, planning learning activities, measuring performance, and self-reflecting. The results of the study show a significant improvement in overall self-directed learning abilities with use of the SDLMS. In addition, the students perceived the system to be both useful and easy to use. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]