INDEPENDENT LEARNING Dr Andrew Thomas, Manchester Metropolitan University Dr George Heritage, Salford University

OUR RATIONALE Dissatisfaction (especially with dissertations) No recipe book of answers - we can’t cover everything & won’t be prescriptive - need to be comfortable with own style Encourage discussion, provide some examples and resources, provide a forum for sharing ideas & develop confidence to increase the use of these techniques On a post-it note: Write your name & table number and… Give an example of where you have used techniques to encourage independent learning Then, introduce yourself and your idea. ACTIVITY 1

WHY BOTHER? Benchmark Statements: 4 interpretations of what independent learning might be: 1. Developing self-managed learning skills 2. Research projects 3. Independent study associated with a module 4. Demonstrating “independence of mind”, emphasizing critical thinking skills Changing (and increasing student intake): Biggs’ Robert and Susan Diversity of learning styles To engage the maximum number of students

WHAT DO WE MEAN BY INDEPENDENT LEARNING? “Independent study is a process, a method and a philosophy of education whereby a learner acquires knowledge by his or her own efforts and develops the ability for enquiry and critical evaluation.” (Candy, 1991) The Paradox Student independence and autonomy is seen as an indicator of academic quality, but to achieve it necessitates letting go a degree of control

WHAT ARE THE ATTRIBUTES OF AN INDEPENDENT LEARNER? In groups of 3, use your examples of independent learning to derive the three most important attributes of an independent learner and write on the acetate. Our list: self awareness - reflective learner planning and management of learning - controlling own learning environment formulate your own questions research & information skills interdependence - working effectively with others critical thinking institutional & disciplinary awareness ACTIVITY 2

CASE STUDIES OF INDEPENDENT LEARNING ACTIVITY 3 In the same groups, review the examples in terms of: - How, if at all, are the attributes of an independent learner (identified earlier) developed? -The extent to which different learning styles are accommodated. Nominate a spokesperson to present your findings to the group

SOME TOOLS FOR DEVELOPING INDEPENDENT LEARNING Not just a case of GAFO! develop awareness in students of how they learn skills training and support negotiated learning opportunities and contracts self-assessment and evaluation group work and peer evaluation learning journals and diaries problem-based learning independent study modules It’s not what you do, it’s what the student does

INDEPENDENT LEARNING AND CURRICULUM DESIGN ACTIVITY 4 Based on the list of characteristics of an autonomous learner: - reflect on a range of learning and teaching approaches that might help learners to develop & display those characteristics in your units After 10 minutes, discuss your thoughts on your table

OUTLINE STRATEGY Level One - Capacity Building skilling up establish culture of reflection and self-evaluation offer some opportunities for negotiated learning basics of subject discipline Level Two - Letting go of Control reduce emphasis on instructor-led approach more opportunity for flexibility, choice and negotiated study mini-projects in-depth subject discipline & its development Level Three - Freedom to Learn most assessment contains elements of negotiation greater control over subject content significant piece of independent work challenging subject discipline assumptions & boundaries

WHAT BARRIERS ARE THERE TO OVERCOME? ACTIVITY 5 Discuss the barriers and write the top 2 on a post-it