The Concept of Autonomous Learning : A New Paradigm of Learning

Dear all educators,
In this opportunity, I would like to share you about a new concept in education. This is about Autonomous Learning Model; a new paradigm in modern learning.

1. What is an autonomous learner?

When I refer the word autonomous, it leads me to consider to its synonym "Independent". These two words are synonymous at one level; they come with the idea of freedom, but they are different in teaching-learning paradigm. In the context of teaching-learning, autonomy (adj: Autonomous) is defined as the ability to take charge of one's learning. In this case, a student is the one who take responsibility for his own learning. This model of learning is so-called student centered learning in which the focus of learning is student, not teacher. This idea changed the old paradigm from teaching process into learning process.
Moreover, an autonomous learner is a student who is not dependent solely on the role of teacher in the classroom. The learner has to set his own goal strategies, and style, take responsibility for his learning, make decision and solve the problem. The role of teacher is as facilitator. In the same vein, Betts and Knapp (1999) define that an autonomous learner as one who solves problems or develops new ideas through a combination of divergent and convergent thinking and functions with minimal external guidance in selected areas of endeavor. This definition leads me to understand that external guidance (the role of the teacher) should be minimazed in the classroom in order to promote learning autonomy.

(Image source: www.theunionschool.com)

2.How can becoming an autonomous learner help us to learn better?

In a classroom with autonomous learners, it is no longer said that the teacher is the only one who possesses knowledge and answers for all questions, yet the students also can possibly access information and any satisfying answers. By applying this style of learning, students’ activities do not have to always take place in schools but also at home or somewhere outdoor. Considering such a very student-centered style of learning, it does not suggest that the tearcher enacts less important role. But, s/he can go beyond that to raise the students’ awareness. For instance, the teacher can instruct them to write what they like and what they don’t from the lesson; or to write what is easy or difficult to understand from the lesson. Also, the teacher can ask them how will the test look like for them later. It is like asking them what their predicition is regarding the most difficult part of lesson for them in the test so that the teacher can help them by sharing additional respective information. During learning session, the teachers may give the students a task. After they finished the task, the teachers should say that s/he is not going to tell them the answers but they themselves have to search for those at their homes. Additionally, the students can learn better in this model of learning since the teacher encourages them to mention what activities are they can probably do in the classroom, and to decide one of thoses after that.

3.How can you help your students and yourselves to be autonomous learners?

As far as I am concerned, Autonomous Learning is a type of learning whereby students are responsible of decisions they make in learning. If I serve as a teacher, I can execute three steps to create autonomous learning atmosphere in my classroom. First, I need to change materials used previously in traditional-approached classroom in order to fit the current needs of the students. Second, in my classroom activities, I have to make sure that the students are fully engaged in learning process so that they can gradually increase their level of responsibility.Third, I should be aware that the new model of learning cannot run simply; as a result, I should leave the traditional style of teaching and move on to the new method by making myself an autonomous learner.
I can help myself be an autonomous learner by developing my sense of responsibility, positive self–esteem, decision-making and problem solving skills, critical and creative thinking skills, and a passion for areas of learning, the area that fascinates me in particular. I attemp not to completely depend on my teacher’s instruction or stimuli, yet I am to have initiatives of what approach is proper in accomplishing my task and to refer to various references available. Also, I should manage to be proactive and brave in dealing with any likelihood of risks; for instance, in an English class, I am to be confident in using the language despite multiple mistakes I may make.
These two graphics explain how Autonomous Learning Model (ALM) is applied in the classroom:

Source: From Better Learning Through Structured Teaching (p. 4), by D. Fisher and N. Frey, 2008, Alexandria, VA: ASCD. Copyright 2008 by ASCD.

What I can infer from the display of graphics is that in general, autonomous learning does not directly get the teacher free of his/her charge. Instead, s/he is to enact a role of an instructor, but only at the very beginning of the learning process. The students who evolve their strategies later on are called reactive autonomous learner, it is the 1st phase. Soonafter, when they students are aware to collaborate each other, they actually have shown the manifestation of their responsibility. Eventually, the teacher can take breath witnessing the fact that each of his/her students becomes individually proactive and capable of deciding goals, planning learning strategies, experiencing learning activities, and evaluating their progress.

---

References
Betts, GT. & Knapp, J. (1981). The Autonomous Learner Model: A Secondary Model In Secondary programs for the gifted and talented. Los Angles, CA: National/State-Leadership Training Institute for the Gifted and Talented. (Retrieved from http://www.det.wa.edu.au )

Fisher, D. & N. Frey. (2008). Better Learning Through Structured Teaching (p. 4). Alexandria: ASCD.

---

Regard,
ALFYD, English Language Teacher