The document discusses independent learning and its key principles. It notes that independent learning views learners as individuals with individual needs and rights. It emphasizes that independent learning does not mean pupils work alone, but that teachers play a guiding and supporting role. It outlines some key cognitive, affective, and metacognitive activities involved in independent learning, and discusses benefits like developing flexibility and responsibility. Challenges like potential misconceptions are also addressed.

1. Independent Learning
by B. Upul N. Peiris http://www.bunpeiris.org/
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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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9. 1/29/20169
Independent Learning Cycle
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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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