Learner autonomy

         One of the most important learners' goals is to become autonomous learners. What are the characteristics of autonomus learners? As the diagram shows, autonomous learners are learners who are independent, self-directed, self-aware, collaborative, self-motivated, critically reflective learners with highly developed decision-making skills. These are learners who are aware of the importance of planning, monitoring and evaluating their learning and their progress. They do not see the teacher as the person who is responsible for their failure or success. They know that the teacher is here only to help them and direct them, but it's all up to them how much effort they will make, how much they will learn and how successful they will be. In one class of 30 learners, there are more successful and less successful students, and the teacher is the same. So, one of the factors that contributes to the success of the good learners is their motivation and their willingness to take responsibility of their own learning. Research has demonstrated that successful learners are autonomous learners who use many different approaches and strategies, who are active learners in and out of class, who do not rely only on the teacher but try to find other sources and other opportunities for learning.

          So, our mission as teachers is not only to help our students learn in the classroom, but to show them ways of continuing their learning on their own, and motivating them to do so. They need to understand that school can only give them the foundation on which they have to build, and it will never be enough if they want to become successful in their professional life. They need to acquire skills and abilities that will prepare them to work independently or to be contributing members of a team in whatever situations they find themselves in their future life. We need to work on this goal constantly so that they will understand the importance and value of taking steps to become more self-directed and independent learners.  

           Here are some inspirational quotes on learning: 

Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.

Abigail Adams (1744 - 1818), 1780   

Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.

Confucius (551 BC - 479 BC), The Confucian Analects      

Whoever ceases to be a student has never been a student.

George Iles      

The wisest mind has something yet to learn.

George Santayana (1863 - 1952)      

What is important is to keep learning, to enjoy challenge, and to tolerate ambiguity. In the end there are no certain answers.

Martina Horner, President of Radcliffe College    

Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it.

Theodore Roosevelt (1858 - 1919)