Awarded for excellence Learning, Teaching & Assessment Strategy - Autonomous Learning - Colleen Connor

Strategic Aims: To ensure that students have access to high quality support and guidance that allows them to develop into active, autonomous learners To further develop a learning-oriented approach to assessment which emphasises that assessment not only measures but also contributes to learning and provides valuable and effective feedback for students. To strengthen employer links and the range of opportunities available for students to gain employability skills both within curricula and through extra-curricular activities

It isnt new! The concept of autonomous learning stemmed from debates about the development of life-long learning skills and the development of independent thinkers both of which originated in the 1960s (Gardner, D. & Millar, L )

Some benefits of autonomy: Transferable skill Confidence building Fosters independence Supports creativity Can take responsibility for their own learning Are actively engaged in their learning Are prepared to consider different approaches to problem solving EMPLOYABILITY

What it does not imply It is not teacher-less learning Teachers--have a crucial role to play in launching learners into self- access and in lending them a regular helping hand to stay afloat ' (Sheerin, 1997, cited in Benson & Voller, 1997: 63) It does not assume all students already have skills for learning It does not take a one size fits all approach

Key Activities Increased & co-ordinated learning support –New appointment –Identifying needs, raising awareness –Renewing on-line resources –Code of practice –Integrating in feedback –Subject specific learning support officers

Key Activities Staff Development –On role of personal tuition and PDP –On strategies to promote autonomy –On interactive teaching –On transformative technology enhanced learning

Key Activities Curriculum Design –Professional teaching sabbatical –Integration of best practice in design phase of validation/review (Thus integrating QE with QA)

Key Activities Evaluation –Through enhanced representation systems –Alignment of student/staff expectations

Some Difficulties Change from add-on to integrated support Moving review/validation focus from the event to the process TIME – particularly for design