1. Independent Learning
by B. Upul N. Peiris http://www.bunpeiris.org/
1/29/2016http://www.mysrilankaholidays.com/ https://www.facebook.com/bunpeiris
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“What’s in a name? that which we call a rose by any other name would
smell as sweet” Juliet
What’s your name, honey?
Independent learning, self-regulated learning, open
learning, resource-based learning, personalization
Consensus
All of above reflect a move towards learner-
centered approaches which view learners as
individuals with individual needs and rights.
The concept does not involve pupils working
all alone.
Within the concept, the teachers may play a
guiding & supporting role.
2. Hierarchy of Teaching and Learning
[HoT Learning model] [Not a definitive blueprint, but useful]
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3. Principles of Independent learning
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Concept: Learners learn best
When they discover knowledge on their own
When their emotions are involved
When their intellect is challenged.
Practicalities:
In the very beginning: as in all meaningful
endeavours, the desired outcome must be
established.
In the process: Action Learning [Learning (L) =
Programmed Instruction (P) + Questioning
Insight (Q)
In the process: reflect on and evaluate progress.
In the encapsulation: Reflection by the learners
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4. Learners Develop competencies
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Develop an understanding of their own
learning
Push ahead with no mean motivation to
take responsibility for their learning
Work with teachers to structure their
learning environment
Pay serious attention to the learning
environment, the wider physical
environment and resources within it,
including ICT, which has now become a vital
artery in the stream of education.
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5. Learning strategies: a shift of paradigm [a distinct
thought pattern] from behaviourism to Cognitism
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Cognitive Activities: processing learning
content: leads to learning results;
knowledge, understanding, skill… etc.
Looking for relations among parts of
subject matter [relating]
Distinguishing main & minor points
[selecting]
Thinking of examples [concretizing]
Looking for applications [applying]
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6. Learning strategies: a shift of paradigm [a distinct
thought pattern] from behaviourism to Cognitisim
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Affective Activities: feelings during learning;
leads to emotional state that may positively,
neutrally or negatively affect learning
Motivating oneself,
Attributing learning results to casual factors
Attaching subjective appraisals to learning
tasks
Controlling emotions
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7. Learning strategies: a shift of paradigm [a distinct
thought pattern] from behaviourism to Cognitiism
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Metacognitive Activities: reflecting
upon & regulating the Cognitive &
Affective learning
Orienting a learning task
Monitoring whether learning process
goes on as planned
Diagnose the cause of difficulties and
adjusting learning process
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8. Learning Levels: “fly Robin fly up up to the sky”
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Activity to support the students in developing Independent Learning: Literature
ANALAYZE: the difference between bollywood movie RamLeela & Romeo &
Juliet
CREATE: Convert the tagicomedy of Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet into a
tragedy by creating a different ending. Or convert it into a comedy by creating a
different ending.
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10. Distinctive Benefits of independent
learning
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Develops flexibility in learning: learners are
able set the pace in line with their needs, interests
& leaning styles.
Allows learners superior control & greater
responsibility: speed up the academic &
intellectual development of the learners.
Develops key Transferable Skills [Employment Skills or
Essential Skills or Soft Skills]
Communication Skills, Listening Skills & Learning
Skills, Teamwork Skills, Organization Skills, &
Leadership Skills
Computer Skills & Creativity Skills
Time Management Skills & Problem-Solving Skills,
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11. Issue Solution
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1.Learners might make
misconceptions.
2. Learners might try to
learn all alone.
Instructions need to be
explicit about what
precisely students are
expected to do and
achieve.
Independent learning
does not need to be
seen only in terms of
learning in ‘isolation’
but also within a
community of
learners.
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Challenges to learning in the approach of
Independent Learning
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12. References
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Bromley, M. (n.d.). Independent Learning Cycle, In Bishop Luffa School
Library [image online]
Available at http://library.bishopluffa.org.uk/HTML_FILES/ilc.html
Accessed on 21 March 2014
Carnegie Mellon (2014), Principles of Education
Available at http://www.cmu.edu/teaching/principles/learning.html
Accessed on 21 March 2014
Tarling, P (2012), Ourstanding teaching,, The Excellence Gateway Treasury
[ image online] Availablle at
http://archive.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=HoTlearning3-3
Accessed on 21 March 2014
Types of Adults Learning & Instructional Method (2014) Organizational
Psychology & Adult Learning, [image online]
Available at http://psychlearningjournal.wordpress.com/2013/04/15/504/
Accessed on 21 March 2014
Top 10 Transferable skills. (2014), Career notes
Available at
http://www.careernotes.ca/employability/top-10-employability-skills/
Accessed on 21 March 2014
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