What is independent learning?

Identifying their own “needs-to-know” Searching for relevant information and

gaining knowledge on their own Learning on their own with minimum

supervision Actively seeking ways to solve their own

problems and difficulties Assessing their own learning to see if their

needs-to-know are met

Conditions Required

Goals Enthusiasm and interest Confidence of success Adequate pre-existing knowledge Skills Availability of resources Feedback Information about course requirements,

expectations, learning environment, etc.

Improved academic performance Increased motivation and confidence Enables teachers to differentiate tasks Better utilize class-contact time Promote active student learning Help students learn how to learn Encourage students to take responsibility

for their own learning Prepare students for lifelong learning

The Dangers

Anxiety and worry Potentially de-motivating if students are

not supported Negative experience of learning Students lose confidence in self learning Poor learning outcome Poor student evaluation

Promoting independent learning:

Is Not simply abandoning

“lessons” and telling students to learn on their own

placing the responsibility for learning entirely on the students

Is About a different way of

helping students learn

facilitating and supporting students to learn increasingly on their own

Independent Learning - Swimming

Independent Learning - Swimming

Independent Learning - Swimming

Independent Learning - Swimming

Shift of responsibility for learning process› Students should understand their learning› Students should be motivated to learn› Students should collaborate with teachers to

structure their learning

Involves:› planning› self-monitoring and self-motivation› controlling the pace and direction of work › evaluation

Helping students succeed

Prepare students adequately: Help student acquire independent

learning skills Match tasks with preparedness of

students Develop students’ confidence of success: Provide positive reinforcements Show examples of good work by fellow

students Provide encouragement and support

Reason logically Construct informal rules for solving

problems Listening and remembering Applying previously learned knowledge Reflect, monitor and evaluate progress via

self-assessment Manage feelings Self-motivate

Scaffolding Self-monitoring

› Setting goals› Receiving feedback

Being a positive role model Effective communication focussed on

learning Effective feedback that encourages

reflection

Opportunities for easy assessment› Measurement of self-directed learning

Increase the speed of access to information

Provides a medium for teacher pupil interaction

Teaching approaches for promoting independent learning

Guided self-study Problem-solving exercises in lectures Student presentations and student-led

seminars Peer teaching Student-centred assessment Project work Learning contracts Dissertation

Support for teachers Study support

› Students voluntarily choose their learning activities and set goals

Empower students to use self-regulation to develop learning strategies

Student voice to own approaches to learning