Dependent learners
Independent learners
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rely heavily on the teacher
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are self-reliant
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cannot make decisions about their learning
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can make informed decisions about
their learning
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do not know their own strengths and
weaknesses
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are aware of their strengths and
weaknesses
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do not connect classroom learning with the
real world
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connect classroom learning with the
real world
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think that the teacher is wholly responsible for
their learning
•
take responsibility for their own
learning· know about different
strategies for learning
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do not know the best way to learn something
•
plan their learning and set goals
•
do not set learning goals· will only work when
extrinsic motivators such as grades or
rewards are offered
•
are intrinsically motivated by making
progress in learning
•
do not reflect on how well they are learning
and the reasons
•
often reflect on the learning process
and their own progress
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Ownership of their learning
Time for talk and collaborative work
Time to ask questions and seek solutions
Time to find out things for themselves
Time to reflect
‘Close the gap’
Time for children to choose their own next
steps
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Establish what the children already know
about a topic, what they want to learn about
and how they are going to learn. This gives
them ownership but develops a relevant
starting point for the class- developing self
efficiency, self motivation and self esteem.
Think about the questions the children ask as
well as the answers which they give.
Plan-do-review
What helps us to learn?
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Drinking water
Working in pairs
Concentrating
Listening to the
teacher
Asking for help
Playing
Knowing what to do
What stops us from
learning?
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Not coming to school
Chatting to a
neighbour
Having a bad
memory
Being distracted
Disturbances
Lack of help
Being rushed
How much do you agree or disagree with these
statements?
(1= Strongly disagree, 2= Disagree, 3= Agree, 4=
Strongly agree)
A) I know what to do when I get stuck with my work?
B) I can concentrate for a long time without being
distracted
C) I can always plan my work carefully
D) I don’t mind if I make a mistake
E) I know where to go to find things out
F) I often ask myself ‘What might happen if….?’
G) I’m good at learning with other people.
H) I’m good at picking up the main points at the end of
the lesson
Child led topic
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Plan involves independent research
Children then create their independent piece,
using their chosen medium – adult support
where needed
Review their project with a view to evaluate
the success of their learning.
An exclusive, personalised learning resource
for the children.
The teacher sets an open ended task which the
children can address in anyway they like,
using their preferred learning style. So they
might create an information poster, they may
write a story or they could make a model and
take photographs of how they go to the end
result.