What is an Independent Study Course?
The Department of Education and Early Years (the Department) recognizes the importance of providing students with opportunities for self-directed learning. The Independent Study Course allows students to engage in personally meaningful, authentic, real-world learning within an inquiry and problem-solving framework. Students have the opportunity to investigate a self-selected topic or theme that extends the curriculum of an authorized provincial course(s) and contributes to their knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary for lifelong learning.
The Independent Study Course should be a student-directed investigative project that is planned in collaboration with a supervising teacher and community mentor, that is monitored frequently, and allows the student to assume the role of firsthand inquirer. This study should uncover new questions and ideas for further inquiry and may solve real-life community issues. It is designed as an opportunity to pursue further studies and should not be regarded as a student entitlement. This course will showcase a student’s care, attention to detail, and overall pride in their work while requiring a considerable commitment of time, effort, and energy on the part of the student.
The Independent Study Course (ISC521A/621A) is designed to provide students with an opportunity to ...
apply interests, knowledge, skills, creative ideas, and task commitment to a self-selected topic or theme;
acquire advanced-level understanding of the knowledge (content) and methodology (process) that is used within particular disciplines, artistic areas of expression, and interdisciplinary studies;
identify and achieve learning outcomes in a self-directed environment; and
increase flexibility and individualization of programming at the high school level.
demonstrate the ability to work independently with minimal direction;
be committed to a high quality level of work;
be interested in pursuing a topic or theme that is authentic and personally meaningful;
demonstrate an interest and ability to collaborate with and learn from others;
demonstrate strong problem solving skills, critical thinking skills, and creativity; and
be willing to share their learning experiences with others.
Guidelines for an Independent Study Course (ISC521A/621A):
Students may be granted one Independent Study Course credit in each of Grades 11 and 12.
Students may earn a total of two Independent Study Course credits towards graduation requirements.
The Independent Study Course credits may count towards graduation requirements as elective credits. ISC credits do not fulfill other graduation requirements such as a Creativity and Innovation credit.
Students will be supported by a supervising teacher at the school.
Students should be supported by a community mentor who should, when required, have a criminal background check with vulnerability sector.
Independent Study Courses should be developed cooperatively by the student and a supervising teacher, approved and supported by the parent/guardian(s), supervising teacher, school counsellor, and school principal.
An Independent Study Course should be designed to take about 110 hours - equal to that of other credit-based courses.
Numerous revisions of the application should occur at the school level before the application is submitted for approval at the Department level.
Once submitted to the Department, further revisions may be recommended in order to support the student's work and ensure a successful application that meets expected standards. It is possible that approval may be denied until recommended changes are implemented.
Approval is required by the Department before a student can begin the Independent Study Course. This avoids situations where the student has begun their work only to have their application require adjustments before final approval is given.
Final completed applications (after revisions) must be shared with the Department.
Credit is awarded in the semester that the course is complete. This gives students greater flexibility to plan their start time and end time in a way that suits their schedule, topic of research, etc. There are some specific requirements as follows, however:
For students wishing to complete their work within a semester, the application should be submitted no later than the first week of the start of the given semester.
For students wishing to work on their ISC over the summer, they must show in their application how their mentor will be available to support their work (the supervising teacher will not be available to them over the summer months).
All Independent Study Courses must include the creation and evaluation of a formal final product, pre-determined by the student.
All Independent Study Courses must include a final Presentation of Learning where a panel will provide feedback to the student as well as feedback for the supervising teacher to support their evaluation of the student's work.
All Independent Study Courses must include a final Reflection to be evaluated by the supervising teacher. This reflection should include elements of the student's personal and academic journey as well as a reflection on their growth and development in the Essential Graduation Competencies.
Independent Study Course credits cannot replicate existing provincially curricula.
A copy of the approved application form should be filed in the student’s cumulative record.
The student must maintain a record of all components of the Independent Study Course (e.g., application, management plan, learning log, journal, assessments). Such records can be held in a designated Google Drive ISC folder.
Updated October 6 2023. All versions of linked documents are the most current.
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