identifying their own “needs-to-know” searching for relevant information and gaining knowledge...
TRANSCRIPT
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