Why is that important that I understand what independent learning is?

Faiza Raja
21270949

Independent learning reflects towards the individual ability to think, perform and
carry forward studies autonomously without any support and guidance form the
supporter, tutor or teacher. This mode of learning also known as self Directed.
Learner himself define his learning, organize all requirements and complete all
schedules at his own. Educators might play their role as facilitator or guider. In this
mode of learning, the learner is encouraged to design his own path and take decision
to value his own research take inputs for their peers and pieces of information from
the teachers. Teachers have an important role in that mode of study because they will
enable and support students in their independent learning for example by structuring
their group work.
Independent learning has based on multiple factors which are planning of learning,
self-monitoring skills to evaluate learning progress with targets, monitor and control
the pace of the work and direction of the learning path with step by step evaluation of
the current performance against the time scale. Self motivation highlighted as
compulsory component for the independent learning and it also influence the
evaluation phase by learner to measure its self-pleasure. (Weinstein, 2009)
External elements are also very important in independent learning and the most
important one is the development of the strong relationship between the teachers and
students. The second vital factor is the development of the environment that will
enable this relation to groom. Enable environment consist of an environment
which has a physical dynamics in which teacher and student will interact with each
other, discus about the study path, discuss about specific task and provide all basics
which help learner to carry on all work independently. However, in that instance the
relation between teacher and student should be positive and base on trust. Then a
mutual sense of responsibility on behalf of student also carries valid point for the
success of independent learning. (Weinstein, 2009)
Another very important aspect of this mode of independent learning is the existence
of necessary skills in learner to accommodate that learning. Basic skills are
1. Cognitive Skills These skills will provide learner the ability to solve
problem through informal rules, help them to classify the objects as per
provided criteria or hypothesis and provide logical reason. These skills also
helped the learners to develop readiness. Student develop this skill at the age
of seven and under assistance, the students are able to use their thinking
language.
2. Metacognitive Skills These skills enable Year 6 student to elaborate about
how they learn and help learner to highlight the skills essential for learning
like listening or remembering and also help in application of learn knowledge
and formal strategies.
3. Affective Skills These skills refer towards the management of feelings.
These skills have provided evidence that motivation is the most important
factor in conduct of independent learning. Delay of Gratification is another
component of that skill which develop ability in learners to wait for
achievement outcomes. (Weinstein, 2009)
Teachers have the key role in assisting student to become an effective independent
learner. The strategies adopted by the teacher to support students are
1. Scaffolding This refers to the supportive structures provided by the teachers,
which eventually aid students in learning. The basic objective is the gradual
transfer of responsibility to form teacher to the student on step-by-step basis.
Teacher should response to the students on flexible basis rather than adopting
a pre-determined plan.
2. Provision of Self-Monitoring opportunities Self-monitoring is based on two
particular processes which establish goals and getting feedback from all
stakeholders. Teacher will help students by enabling them to self-monitor their
abilities by internal and external feedbacks and then evaluate that whether
these strategies are achieving goals or not.
3. Behavior Models Independent learning is promoted by encouraging
students to model the behavior of teacher. Like the teacher will shoe student
about process of categorizing information.
4. Communication development that comprises of language focused on learning
this will guide students to become learn about all steps that will students to
participate in this mode of learning. Gain knowledge about their learning
styles and guide students about share their thinking with their teachers.
5. Homework feedback - this process will help students to improve their
confidence for independent work. Student will gain reflective type of
independent learning too. (Law, 2011)
Independent learning flourish in the whole school approach context which includes
effective guidance and support for the head teachers. However the process to support
independent learning includes
1. Teachers Support - It is very important factor in independent learning that
teachers should be well supported by their management.
2. Support For Study Study support is also another factor that will play a vital
role in the field of independent learning. This process includes set of activities
that will promote learning outside school hours. This methodology appear as
vital source of independent learning because it enable students to voluntarily
select their learning activities and learning goals.
3. Empowering students for Self- Regulation Whole school policies will guide
their students to regulate their learning behavior. Provide student effective
guidance about use of the learning strategies, elaborate them about how to use
these strategies, enable them to highlight any opportunities and then evaluate
the overall scenario.
4. Student Voice This approach will enable students to have opportunity to
raise their concerns. This will give ownership towards the school modes of
independent learning. (Lzaro & Reinders, 2008)
The last segment will enclose all discussion in a shell that independent learning has a
significant importance for the student. This mode of learning will enable student to
plan it learning mode, academic targets and then follow schedule. However, in these
learning approach teachers has a viable importance and they contribute effectively to
prepare learner for independent studies. However, all stakeholders will gain
significant benefits of independent learning if effective policies are provided to them
to promote it.





References
1. Weinstein, C.E. (2009). Strategic and self-regulated learning for the 21st
century: The merging of skill, will and self-regulation. Keynote, Independent
Learning Conference, Hong Kong, 2009.
2. Law, E. Y. Y. (2011). Evaluating learning gain in a self-access centre. In D.
Gardner (Ed.), Fostering autonomy in language learning (pp. 199-213).
Gaziantep: Zirve University. Retrieved from http://ilac2010.zirve.edu.tr
3. Lzaro N., & Reinders, H. (2008). Teaching and learning in independent
learning centres. Sydney, Australia: National Centre for English Language
Teaching and Research, Macquarie University.