3.4 - Explore III

The Successful Independent Learner

Aim: This task identifies the features of independent learners and the challenges they may face.

Time: 20 – 30 minutes, approximately

Instructions

Independent learners will be better able to manage online learning. Research tells us that we must teach most learners how to be effective independent learners because this will give them many useful skills and attitudes both in school and later in life, as well as increasing their motivation to learn. Helping learners to be more independent should start while they are in the physical classroom so that when they go online, they are ready and willing to work independently. In this task we ask what an effective independent learner looks like. We also think about the challenges learners may face to be effective independent learners and how we can help them overcome these challenges.

Part One: Profile of Effective Independent Learners

How much of an independent learner are you?

Below are six features of the independent learner. Think about yourself, and for each feature, decide how successfully you are able to deploy each feature when you are learning something new.

Well-organised
Able to break down a task into steps
Asks relevant questions at relevant times
Willing to try even when they are not certain of success
Willing to take advice and act on it
Able to work well with others when relevant

Now look at each of the features again below. Choose the example that best exemplifies each feature.

The independent learner is:

It can be helpful to share the six features of successful independent learners with your own learners. For example, you could give your learners the list of features and ask them to think about their own strengths and weaknesses as independent learners. You could also share the examples from the activity above; this will help your learners understand what an effective independent learner looks like and have some ideas about how to be even more effective independent learners themselves. You too should notice when your learners show any of these signs of being effective independent learners. Praise them for this every so often.

Part Two: Tips for Supporting Learners in their Asynchronous Work

Now we are going to look at some challenges to effective independent learning and how to overcome them.

Look at some typical problems faced by independent learners below, explained by three different teachers. What advice would you give each of these teachers? Type your ideas in the text box where it says 'Your advice'. Then compare your advice with the ideas on the next slide.
Note: The ideas you type in the 'Your advice' text box will remain visible for as long as you stay on this webpage. However, when you leave this webpage, your ideas will not be recorded.

AND REMEMBER…

Becoming an effective independent learner is a worthwhile life-long goal. Our learners will benefit from being well-organised, able to ask questions and act on feedback; doing all of this can be supported by the teacher strategies we looked at in Task 3.3. Making our learners aware of their strengths and weaknesses as independent learners is a good first step. Becoming an independent learner is a long term undertaking for our learners, and it is best started when in the physical classroom.

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