Autonomous Learners
Purpose & Goals
Work towards changing students attitudes towards learning
Most students in this programme are already capable, compliant and motivated to complete classroom
tasks to a high standard to achieve good assessment results.
To improve the students’ attitudes to learning to become an autonomous learners I would like the students
to shift their thinking to:
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Develop a love of learning
Think about their own thinking (metacognition)
Understand that knowledge and accepted understandings change over time
See learning as a lifelong process
Be prepared to let go of their misconceptions
Develop a desire to know more
Question new information when it does not fit with prior knowledge
Consider issues from different perspectives
Consider the source of information and its validity
See mistakes and less successful outcomes as learning opportunities
Be happy with all outcomes knowing they worked at their optimum level with the resources available
or took calculated risks,
Be prepared to laugh at themselves
Set short term, mid term and long term goals for themselves
Accept that other people may have a different view
Be prepared to work interdependently at times
Understand that the ability to find information when it is required is more important than learning
facts. (no one can know everything about everything)
Everybody has strengths and weaknesses (gifted and talented students are not expected to be gifted or
talented in all areas)
Create new friendships with likeminded individuals
Become flexible, creative and divergent thinkers
Improve their relationships with others (including in competition)
Work towards improving students skills
Most students in this programme already possess many skills that enable them to complete classroom tasks
to a high standard to achieve good assessment results.
To improve the students’ skills for learning to become an autonomous learner I would like to teach the
students:
Improved Learning Skills
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brain & learning theory
to be goal setters
to reflect on their learning
to understand knowledge may evolve and change over time due to research findings and technological
advancements
Example of a Secondary Pull Out Programme called ‘Autonomous Learners’ | Jenny Livingstone (2013) | page 1
Memory Enhancing Skills
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Brain science (branching up, neuroconnections)
Brain gym (brain buttons, integrating the right and left hemispheres)
To Use a variety of Graphic Organizers
Visualisation techniques
Memorisation skills for short term and long term memory retention
How to access long term memory
Organisational skills
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Self Motivation
Self Management skills
Timelines (particularly for assessment and project work)
Involving experts - Knowing when to ask for help
Work and study skills
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Questioning skills
Exam sitting skills
Research skills
Using the internet efficiently, how different search engines work, advanced search techniques and
learning Boolean Language
Scrutinizing the validity and reliability of websites
Example of a Secondary Pull Out Programme called ‘Autonomous Learners’ | Jenny Livingstone (2013) | page 2