Literature Review : Learner Autonomy

Democratic and “freedom-based education” (Koonce, 2015, p. 79) is anchored in the belief that people are “naturally curious” (Koonce, 2015, p. 80) and have an “innate desire to learn” (Koonce, 2015, p. 80). Children are more engaged in learning by what motivates them.

In this study, self-determination was identified as feelings of autonomy, self-regulation, psychological perspectives, empowerment, and self-realization (Jones & Hensley, 2012). The area most impacted for self-contained students was psychological empowerment. Teachers in the research study stated that the self-contained students were more dependent on the classroom staff for learning support (Jones & Hensley, 2012). These students were more likely to seek assistance on simple assignments that they could have easily completed on their own. While it is important for teacher-student relationships to be positive, an overdependence on teachers can hinder the learning process and negatively impact the confidence level of the student (Jones & Hensley, 2012). However, students in resource classrooms displayed higher levels

Many popular theories of second language acquisition have been analyzed throughout history. The socialization of L2 learners, their present emotional state that is present at time of acquisition, as well as the comprehensible input and output with the use of scaffolding play a major role in second language acquisition. Let us also not forget the importance of written expression as well as reading comprehension with these L2 learners. Each play a role in language development. However, I believe that in acquiring a language, one must use a variety of techniques that work together to create a balance within the learning environment. Furthermore, all L2 learners learn differently and so a variety of resources will need to be used based on the ability of each student. There are many theories that have been developed by highly qualified experts in the field on linguistics. However, I will address those areas that I agree with as I present my personal theories on second language acquisition.

In school now, many teachers are willing to give answers to students who did not even attempt to solve the presented problem. This idea of spoon-feeding answers allows students to succeed without fully understanding the material, and when they are tested on the information, they will have a harder time scoring well because they did not learn on their own. Therefore, Emerson’s idea of independent education would allow students to challenge themselves to produce answers individually, without the help of a teacher right away, and this would make sure they have a more solid understanding of the curriculum. Emerson writes, “But this function of opening and feeding the human mind is not to be fulfilled by any mechanical or military method,” (Emerson, 191). This quote explains how immediately providing students with the correct answers is almost unnatural and the least suitable way of retaining information. Besides forcing answers upon students who are not given the time to formulate it themselves, our school district also imposes a strict curriculum.

Therefore, young children should be guided through multiple techniques in order to attain independence, self-discipline, and initiative. I believe that by promoting individuality as well as relying on consequences will allow young children to strengthen their independence. Through consequences, young children learn that what we do affects ourselves or peers. Another factor that needs to be considered when strengthening independence would be avoiding unmet needs. As we help young children to understand their own needs we are helping guide them to solving the problem and gaining what they require in order to be successful.

Many of their learning needs are similar to those of other children and young people learning in our schools. However, these learners also have distinct and different needs from other learners by virtue of the fact that they are learning in and through another language, and that they come from cultural backgrounds and communities with different understandings and expectations of education, language and learning”. (NALDIC, 1999).

2. My actual score had me ranging from high to low - Initiator (thirteen), Encourager (eight), Gatekeeper and Summarizer (seven), and Harmonizer (six).

When in the course of life events the amount of work we are given by the teachers in school needs to become independent from the student. This is described to why they deserve to be independent. It’s essential, as students, to come up with our own Declaration of Independence and why we will be independent from the work that is given from the AP teachers.

This will also promote a student to work independently.Different ways of Learning-Teachers will provide more than one way for each child to learn appropriately.-Teacher will recognize that each student is different and come from a different background in life, so several outlooks on certain subjects will be used.

If the ultimate goal for students is independent thinking, this chapters highlights activities and strategies teachers can use in the classroom to release the hand holding of our students and create self-sufficient learners. Student progression will vary based on their need for challenge and complexity, and they may move from one higher and lower learning continuums depending on their knowledge of new skills and concepts (Cash, 2011, p. 81). It is important that teachers encourage autonomous thinking in his or her students to permit a learning environment where students

1. Autonomous learning is a unique innovative technique which is actively implemented in the academic transaction process. It implies gradual switch from traditional teacher-centered studies to a self-learning process, when students are placed in such conditions where they are to employ their critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication skills in addition to the problem-solving skills that will make them experts on a subject studied through project- work, group work etc. For Example- A project on garbage disposal in class V was given to make them learn about environment and sustainability.

Lucille Lange, a school administrator from Bogota explains: “Students are leaning to think independently and need to realize that the right to express themselves comes with responsibility and consequences.” (2011). Students opportunity of free expression, their personality, and individualism is unable to develop to its fullest capacity.

Students are placed in the responsibility of their own learning and understanding while the teachers encourage students to be more independent and more exploratory. The teachers will foster a sense of autonomy in the learning process as they act as a source of experiences. In addition, as the students watch their teacher makes mistakes, they will learn those failures are part of the learning process. The students will soon realize that mistakes are natural in life and it will serve as stepping stones to

In order to teach successfully teachers must learn about first learn about their students. Teachers must assess the student’s capabilities and interests. Some students are visual learners, while others learn from hands on activities, or verbal communication. Not all students can learn through memorization, rather they learn through interest and relation to the topic. “To realize what an experience, or empirical situation, means, we have to call to mind the sort of situation that presents itself outside of school" (Democracy and Education). The curriculum should encompass material that is most useful for a student to learn. It seems that in the majority of schools, students are not given the flexibility to guide their own learning, but rather follow rigid instructions that destroy the student’s imagination.

We can help the child attain independence by giving opportunity for him to work with the materials by himself, by directing him towards a given end to develop his will, by giving him constructive work to help him in developing discipline, by letting him know and have an understanding of what is good and bad and also giving him freedom to reveal himself completely by playing only passive role.