BEING IN CONTROL OF YOUR OWN LEARNING Are you an independent learner? Is your Learning effective?

What does independent learning mean? It probably means different things to different people. Ultimately it is about being in control of your own learning - being self-motivated, self-organised, seeking support, finding out, trying to improve, not waiting for others to do things for you. Independence is a learned skill - it is something you can improve with practise.

What you need to do You will be presented with 10 questions about independent learning. For each question your response will produce a score of between Add up your 10 scores throughout the presentation.

I am very self motivated - I don't need parents or teachers to motivate me to work Strongly agree - score 4 Agree - score 3 Disagree - score 2 Strongly disagree - score 1

I feel comfortable seeking support when I need it - I can ask a teacher for help Strongly agree - score 4 Agree - score 3 Disagree - score 2 Strongly disagree - score 1

I chose my courses - I feel totally in control of my choice Strongly agree - score 4 Agree - score 3 Disagree - score 2 Strongly disagree - score 1

I put a lot of effort into listening in lessons - to the teacher and to colleagues Strongly agree - score 4 Agree - score 3 Disagree - score 2 Strongly disagree - score 1

My attendance is excellent - it is rare for me to miss a lesson Strongly agree - score 4 Agree - score 3 Disagree - score 2 Strongly disagree - score 1

I get to my classes on time - it is rare for me to be late Strongly agree - score 4 Agree - score 3 Disagree - score 2 Strongly disagree - score 1

I study hard outside lessons - usually for around 3 hours a day Strongly agree - score 4 Agree - score 3 Disagree - score 2 Strongly disagree - score 1

I always catch up on work if I miss a lesson Strongly agree - score 4 Agree - score 3 Disagree - score 2 Strongly disagree - score 1

I am highly organised – notes are filed, I meet deadlines, and bring equipment & notes to class Strongly agree - score 4 Agree - score 3 Disagree - score 2 Strongly disagree - score 1

I feel comfortable asking questions - I can admit I don't understand Strongly agree - score 4 Agree - score 3 Disagree - score 2 Strongly disagree - score 1

I am more concerned about making progress than constantly seeking praise and scoring easy marks Strongly agree - score 4 Agree - score 3 Disagree - score 2 Strongly disagree - score 1

Your score = highly independent = Getting there. Well done = Some positives but improvement vital = Major cause for concern

What does independent learning mean? It probably means different things to different people. Ultimately it is about being in control of your own learning - being self-motivated, self-organised, seeking support, finding out, trying to improve, not waiting for others to do things for you. Independence is a learned skill - it is something you can improve with practise.

Is your learning effective? Look at the diagram. How do you spend most of your time in lessons? - lecture/listening, reading? From the diagram, what are more effective ways of learning so that you retain the information?

Teaching others Forces you to: provide the big picture or overview of the idea before you present the detail recall the detail structure what you are saying answer questions that probe how well you know the information

Using more effective strategies How can you make use of teaching others? In your lessons? - suggest it to your teacher? Out of the classroom? At home, study periods.

Individual Reflection… 1)2)3) I can do the following activities to improve my learning I can become a more effective learner if I do the following things In the next week I will practice being an independent learner in the following tasks / lesson