Let’s first try to understand what the term “Independent Learning” means. It means that you take control of your own learning. It is a central part of a student’s learning curve. They learn through their own actions and regulate their own learning.
An effective independent learner is capable of recognizing-
- what you need to learn – Evaluate their own learning requirements
- the best tools to learn and work independently to meet those needs
- how to be accountable for what you have learned through available resources
Independent learning makes students take ownership of their studies. Our goal is to portray a clear description of Independent Learning and its impact on the students. This is also an ultimate test of a student’s dedication and motivation. When you are an independent learner you begin to take responsibility for your workload, commitments and deadlines. It raises the motivation to learn therefore creating a learning environment with the teachers.
In this blog, we will be discussing about the characteristics of an Independent Learner. We will also guide you to become more independent in all the studies you undertake.
As a Chinese proverb states “Give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach him how to fish and he eats for life”. This proverb shows us the importance of being an Independent Learner. Independent Learning skills helps a student to rise to the challenge when faced with a new situation. Once the system is established in a students learning process, the become problem-solvers and have the confident to do well in their professional life.
Key Elements of Independent Learning
Independent learning enables the teachers to organize more activities for the class thereby also increasing the focus on more teaching.
- A shift of responsibility from the teacher to the student
- Self-motivation for a successful independent learning
- A responsibility to learn
- Empowering students by self-regulating
Self-motivation keeps the student aiming for a better learning experience because it helps develop the learning process of the student.
Independent learning increases the critical thinking skills of a student. When a student is determined to study on his own then they become more self-sufficient. They work harder and are able to understand the course better. The teachers are always there as a guiding medium for all the independent learners.
Independent learning also is an interesting concept as it becomes a part of your lifestyle. Being able to study courses and then finish them is possible through independent learning.
Conclusion
Empowering students to become independent lifelong learners is the vision of edupme. We are trying to instill this characteristics in all our students. A student transitions by taking more responsibility through being an independent learner. They become more self-directed and are able to make decisions as to what they will focus on and how much time to spend on a section. This will help them in learning both inside and outside the classroom.
In the end, we want our students to be able to figure out what they need to be successful. And then, we would want them to have the skill and knowledge to take the necessary steps. Being an independent learner doesn’t mean that the student does everything alone, rather let them diagnose their own learning needs, formulate their own goals and identify the resources that can help them meet those goals.
Reference
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1121248.pdf