Strategies for Independence
Strategies for promoting independence through WBL experiences:
Set clear expectations: Clearly communicate your expectations for independent work and behavior. Provide students with specific instructions and guidelines for completing tasks on their own.
Direct Instruction: Explicitly teach the skill to the student. Follow the model of: Discuss, Demonstrate, Do or "I do, we do, you do." Discuss the steps, model the steps, and then the students try it themselves!
Gradual release of responsibility: Start by modeling the desired behavior or task, then provide guided practice, and eventually allow students to work independently.
Teach self-monitoring and self-reflection: Encourage them to evaluate their work, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and set goals for themselves.
Foster problem-solving skills: Encourage students to solve problems independently by providing opportunities for critical thinking and decision-making. Teach them strategies for breaking down complex tasks, brainstorming solutions, and evaluating the effectiveness of their choices.
Encourage self-advocacy: Teach students how to advocate for themselves by asking questions, seeking clarification, and requesting support when needed. Help them develop the confidence to communicate their needs and take initiative in their learning.
Provide opportunities for choice: Allow students to make decisions about tasks, order of tasks, or approaches to task completion. This helps develop their decision-making skills and promotes a sense of ownership over their learning.
Build organizational skills: Help students develop effective organizational skills, such as using planners or digital tools to manage their schedules, breaking down tasks into smaller steps, and keeping track of assignments and deadlines. Organization promotes independence and reduces the need for constant reminders.
Foster a growth mindset: Encourage a growth mindset by praising effort, resilience, and a willingness to take risks. Teach students that mistakes and failures are valuable opportunities for learning and growth.
Positive reinforcement: Giving specific positive feedback often helps to boost the students confidence and shape the behavior we want to see more of. For example, “I love how you…” “You did an excellent job on…”
Provide constructive feedback: Offer specific and constructive feedback to help students improve their work. Teach them how to use feedback to correct the problem independently. Sandwich the feedback between 2-3 positives so the student is more receptive to it.
Celebrate successes: Recognize and celebrate students' achievements in becoming more independent. Acknowledge their efforts and growth, which will motivate them to continue developing their independence.
Remember, it's important to adapt these strategies to meet the individual needs of your students and provide ongoing support as they develop their independence.