Autonomous Learner Model

1. The Autonomous Learner Model for the
Gifted and Talented
 Originated in the 1970s
 Created by Arvada West High School in Colorado
 Input from Administrators, Teacher, and Students
 Is focused on serving the third level of the gifted curriculum which is
the learner differentiated level.
 Level one Prescribed Curriculum (State Standards)
 Level two Teacher Differentiated (Many of the other models)
 Level three Learner Differentiated (Autonomous Learner Model)

2. Rationale for the Autonomous Learner
Model
 The goal of the model is to create a student that can learn on his or
her own (Make a Socrates).
 Comes from a belief in Humanistic Psychology.
 Carl Rogers “The only man who is educated is the man who has
learned how to learn”
 In order to work and learn best students should
 Accept others
 Accept themselves
 Develop communication skills
 Want to change the world in a positive manner

3. The Autonomous Learner Model’s Five
Levels
 The goal of levels 1-3 is to support the Seminar and the In-depth study.
 Orientation
 Individual Development
 Enrichment
 Seminar
 In-depth Study

4. Orientation
 The goal of Orientation is to introduce the concepts of the model and
gifted education to both parents and students.
 Orientation has four areas
 Understanding Giftedness, Talent, Intelligence and Creativity
 Night of Notables
 Group Building Activities
 Self /Personal Development
 Self Identify Type (Successful, Challenging, Underground, At-Risk, Twice Exceptional,
Autonomous Learner)
 Program and School Opportunities and Responsibilities
 Creating the ALP

5. Individual Development
 This is essentially skills building in preparation for becoming autonomous.
 Inter/Intrapersonal Understandings (Communication, Self-Esteem, Self-
motivation)
 Learning Skills (Writing, Problem-solving, Creativity etc.)
 Technology (Provided by content specialist and community leader)
 College and Career Involvement (Guest Speakers, Career Training)
 Organizational Skills
 Productivity (Techniques for developing skills needed to produce a product)

6. Enrichment
 This is about identifying interests
 Explorations (Short-term information seeking on interests)
 Investigations (Formal investigations into topics of interest, similar to a
learning contract)
 Cultural Activities (Plays, museums, behind the scenes)
 Service (must have direct contact with people)
 Adventure Trips (Student planned)

7. Seminar
 Students research and present in a seminar style format to the class and
ideally community members.
 Research
 Present Factual Information
 Implement a group activity during the seminar
 Closure

8. In-Depth Study
 This is where the students are turned loose. Everything is still approved and
guided by teachers and mentors, but it is almost entirely developed by the
student.
 Includes
 Individual projects
 Mentors
 Can Include
 Observations
 Experimentation
 Choreography
 Reading

9. Practical Applications for the Model
 Implementing the model wholesale would be a large commitment in time
and resources. However adapting portions of the program is practical and
possible. We already have portions of the model in our program.
 Mentor Program with research project (Senior Honors Projects)
 Service Learning
 Perhaps a high school gifted course could be centered on this model.
 AP Research and Seminar?

10. Strengths and Limitations
 Strengths
 The goal is solid.
 The structure to reach the goal is well planned and could produce a high percentage of
autonomous learners.
 The knowledge received can be highly specialized. Graduate level knowledge is not out of
reach.
 Students will certainly graduate with the skills to finish long term projects
 Limitations
 You need a very good teacher or the whole program will fail.
 The learning curve for teaching this model could be significant.
 The community may not buy in or have the resources.
 Any model will have a certain percentage of students that do not fit in well. There will be
some students that need more structure.

11. West Arvada Student Walk Out
 http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/student-walk-outs-
possible-at-pomona-arvada-west-and-ralston-valley-high-schools-tuesday