Jovanie Gomez's List: Independent Learning

• Independent learning
• This is the only reference to independent learning in the latest Ofsted schedule. However, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be encouraging students’ independence in their learning.
   With the spiralling access to information, skills and experiences, and the level of instant global communication, I believe it would be irresponsible not to support learners to develop their abilities to learn rather than to be taught.

• Any reference to, or promotion of independent learning will need to be supported by a clear and consistent definition of independent learning. It may also be helpful within the definition to explain the relationship between independent learning and allied terms and concepts.”

   
• Do we detect here a similar problem here to the one about judging creativity?
   The problem for teachers here is that they are trying to accommodate not only a wide variety of definitions of independent learning, but the range of interpretations of senior managers, colleagues and oh yes….Ofsted inspectors.

• After all – we teachers hate being talked at in training, and almost always say that the greatest benefits of courses are that they can share ideas and discuss practice with their peers.
   Effective learners are able to adapt to a range of teaching styles and the appropriate style can vary according to the teacher, student and content. I would argue that to be able to learn independently is fundamental to a lifelong ability to adapt and to grow. I see the intention as being not for learners to merely teach themselves, but that they are able to research, reflect and evaluate their own learning in order to identify and seek the support they need to progress.

   
• However, in an effort to maintain a practical rather than political tone to these posts, I would suggest that at the very least, the school should establish a common agreement on what is considered to be independent learning to be promoted in the school.
   In this way, some semblance of consistency will be developed and teachers will have a basis for developing, evaluating and explaining practice.

• All teachers know that independence doesn’t just happen. Learners need to be enabled to make the best use of independence, something which applies equally to teachers!
   Common strategies throughout the school will enable learners to apply independent learning strategies consistently and ever more effectively.
   The ability to work independently clearly takes time to develop.

   
• • Und
    erstanding what you are learning/expected to do
   
  • Choice
   
  • Reflection
   
  • Asking for appropriate support when needed
   
  • Research skills
   
  • Accountability
• • Are you sure they understand exactly what they are supposed to be learning?
   
  • Where is there a choice in how they are learning?
   
  • What choices and decisions are they being expected to make?
   
  • How are they being supported or prompted to make decisions? What decision-making strategies are they developing?
   
  • How are they prompted and supported to reflect on their learning and choices?
   
  • What research skills do they have/need to learn?
   
  • What mechanisms of accountability are in place? – Deadlines, responsibility to others etc.
   
   

• Twenty things you might do to promote independence (in no particular order) :

   
   
• • Make sure that success criteria are clear.
   
  • Have examples of high level work available.
   
  • Set clear deadlines
   
  • Give students plenty of practice in “chunking” big tasks or projects
   
  • Ensure that resources are easily accessible and clearly organised.
   
  • Establish routines such as “Ask three other people before asking the teacher.”
   
  • Set up “How-to” resources for frequently-asked questions.
   
  • Ask questions such as “How do you think we can approach this task/problem?
   
  • Encourage real dialogue by using high level questioning.
   
  • Try to set tasks which have a real audience.
   
  • Encourage students to evaluate resources
   
  • Encourage students to share references and links to other resources they have found e.g. On a discussion board, class wiki or even…..a notice board!
   
  • Encourage students to teach each other and to share their ways of working.
   
  • Set homeworks that encourage students to collaborate.
   
  • Model how you are learning – talk through your own experiences.
   
  • Ask for student feedback on how you could improve the learning experiences.
   
  • Don’t plan so tightly that there’s no room for flexibility.
   
  • Encourage students to lead the learning.
   
  • Have clear signage to resources such as pens, rulers and other equipment. (Especially important in secondary schools where students are moving from room to room.
   
  • Encourage students to identify the successes of others and to celebrate them.

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• Independent Learning
• Independent learning is a method or learning process where learners have ownership and control of their learning - they learn by their own actions and direct, regulate, and assess their own learning. The independent learner is able to set goals, make choices, and decisions about how to meet his learning needs, take responsibility for constructing and carrying out his own learning, monitor his progress toward achieving his learning goals, and self-assess the learning outcomes.

• 7 Characteristics of Independent Learners
• Independent learners want to find out more about the world. They seek out ways to explore. They learn from various angles and formats, not just traditional instruction. They are proactive and find ways to access additional lesson supplements on their own.
• Curiosity
• Self-motivation
• Forget bribery. Intrinsic motivation far surpasses any prize or reward system. Independent learners are motivated by setting internal goals to achieve. They are driven by their own personal achievement.
• Where have you been and where are you going? Independent learners know how to evaluate themselves. They can see their strengths and weaknesses. They strive for measurable progress and often chart their accomplishments and failures.
• Self-examination
• Responsibility means knowing what you have to do and doing it without anyone telling you to. The sooner a student becomes responsible for consequences, the less dependent he will be outside sources for discipline or motivation.
• Accountability
• Critical thinking
• • Independent learners think critically of a situation. They examine all possibilities and often come up with multiple solutions. They don't just memorize. Rather they ask "why?" and formulate answers based on real-world observation and intelligent deduction.
• Independent learners have an uncanny ability to read, visualize, or kinesthetically instruct themselves. No matter the topic or subject studied, an independent learner will find ways to understand material through application (generally trial-and-error).
• Comprehension with little or no instruction
• Persistence
• Independent learners don't give up. They strive to understand a concept as much as possible on their own before asking for help. They also apply self-discipline in not finding the easy answer to a problem. They teach themselves and generally only ask question after failure to find a solution on their own.
• Independent or autonomous learners take full responsibility for their own learning
• Students with high self-esteem and at a comfortable level with academic performance are more likely become independent learners
• t all starts inside the mind of your student with a positive attitude and true self belief.

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• What is Independent Learning?
• “Independent Learning is learning that is self-directed. The learning is defined, organised and completed by the learner. Educators (experts) may act as facilitators or guides. However, the learner is encouraged to plot their own path and to value their own research as well as input from peers on the same level as information and guidance that they may gain from teachers (experts).”
• In order to get a fuller understanding, I wish to complete a brief investigation and ask you to share your own definition of Independent Learning.

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