Characteristics of independent learners

1.Curiosity - Independent learners want to

find out more about the world. They seek
out ways to explore.

2.Self-motivation - Forget bribery.

Independent learners are motivated by
setting internal goals to achieve. They are
driven by their own personal achievement.

3.Self-examination Where have you been

and where are you
going? Independent
learners know how to
evaluate themselves.
They can see their
strengths and
weaknesses.

4.Accountability Responsibility means

knowing what you
have to do and doing
it without anyone
telling you to. The
sooner a student
becomes responsible
for consequences, the
less dependent he will
be looking for outside
sources for discipline
or motivation.

 5.Critical thinking - Independent learners think

critically of a situation. They examine all
possibilities and often come up with multiple
solutions. They don't just memorize. Rather they
ask "why?" and formulate answers based on
real-world observation and intelligent deduction.

 6.Comprehension with
little or no instruction Independent learners
have an uncanny ability
to read, visualize, or
kinesthetically instruct
themselves. No matter
the topic or subject
studied, an independent
learner will find ways to
understand material
through application
(generally trial-and-error).

 7.Persistence - Independent learners don't give

up. They strive to understand a concept as much
as possible on their own before asking for help.
They also apply self-discipline in not finding the
easy answer to a problem. They teach
themselves and generally only ask question
after failure to find a solution on their own.

Dependent learners

Independent learners

rely heavily on the teacher

are self-reliant

cannot make decisions about their learning

can make informed decisions

about their learning

do not know their own strengths and

weaknesses

are aware of their strengths and

weaknesses

do not connect classroom learning with the

real world

connect classroom learning with

the real world

think that the teacher is wholly responsible

for their learning

take responsibility for their own

learning know about different
strategies for learning

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

How can teachers help their students become

independent and lifelong learners?

Discuss the assignment to

ensure he or she understands
what is required.
Have the student work
independently first before
turning to you for help.
Teach your students to be
resourceful.
Provide guidance, not
answers.
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.

Student's role

Why we want our students to become

Indepndent learners?

 Social Skills:
Contributing : the ability to make relevant contributions
(spoken and actions) in group situations
Working with Others: the ability to work collaboratively
as a contributing group member

Group leadership: the ability to take a leadership role

within group situations
Conflict management and resolution: the ability to
manage conflict in group situations and find solutions.

 Thinking Skills:
Identify Purpose: Be able to identify the purpose for
reasoning.
Evaluate Evidence: Recognise and evaluate evidence
offered to support claims.
Identify Opinions: identify fact/opinions and the chain of
evidence, inference, assumptions and biases that may
be involved
Develop and critique arguments: Develop and critique
arguments to promote, defend or critique a point of view.
Make Decisions: ability to make appropriate decisions
considering relevant implications and consequences.
Ask relevant questions: ability to ask a range of relevant
questions

Self Management Skills:

Goal setting: The ability to set realistic, relevant,
challenging and manageable goals
Time and resource-management: the ability to
manage their own time and resources

Focus: the ability to focus on the task in hand

and work through distractions

Information Skills:
Recognise information need: ability to recognise their
own lack of knowledge and the need to obtain further
information or deepen their understanding.
Ask relevant questions: ability to ask a range of relevant
questions.

Recognise and select appropriate sources: ability to

choose appropriate information sources.
Use a variety of sources: ability to use a wide range of
sources to find needed information.
Apply information: the ability to apply information to meet
the original need, build appropriate understanding or
solve the initial problem.

What makes a good Independent Leaner?

Follow the B's rule:

Thank you