Learner autonomy involves a psychological process on the part of both teachers and learners. There are teachers who feel comfortable with the role of 'purveyors of knowledge' and don't want to get down on the plain from mount Olympus. There are learners who are comfortable in the traditional system of learning - being passive at the receiving end, looking up at mount Olympus for the oracles to be announced. Putting this analogy aside, I strongly feel a walk towards learner autonomy or self-directed learning is a giant step for teachers and learners on 'our part of the world' as it demands to get rid of the dependence on teachers and learners.
To depend on technology or simply put - a computer, isn't a favorable choice for us as well. As Moni portrays the Bangladeshi scenario in his blog post this week, we are lucky who are teaching at tertiary level. It happened many times with me when I prepared my lesson with a power point presentation or video clip and things didn't work out the way I wanted to because of power failure or the lack of technical support. I had to change my ways but tried to carry out the lesson. I always believe in the good will and innovation on a teacher's part to overcome all difficulties. If a teacher really puts his/her mind onto something, it's achievable.
Wallwisher is a wonderful tool to provide students a common platform to share links to reading materials, video/audio, slides etc of their own choice. Thus it doesn't only enhance learning by sharing but also promote autonomy.
WebQuest is another way of promoting autonomy and my project deals with one that I prepared at Zunal. I'm preparing my draft project plan with apprehension at how the students will react when I announce the project to them. I'm trying to see things ahead and embracing myself for an adventurous ride with my students. Hector signed up the partnership document on the class wiki where Alina, Hector and I are in a group to review our drafts. I'm looking forward to the next week and to the review of my project plan.
Hi Tahsina. First of all, I am very happy to work with you and Alina. I am really motivated to be part of such professional colleagues.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I completely agree with you when you mention that there are teachers who do not want to abandon their role as masters of knowledge. This is very true,and, unfortunately, difficult to eliminate in certain contexts.
The positive aspect is that it has started to change with the promise that in few years from now, we are going to have a more autonomous learning process.
Now, not everybody has the perfect scenario and, as you point out, many external aspects can interfere with the normal progress of a class: power, technological devices, and maybe, the most important one, attitude.
That is why, as we enter in the second decade of this century, have to have a more proactive attitude that will lead our students to be more autonomous at the moment of learning.
Kind Regards,
Héctor.
Dear Tahsina and Hector,
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to working with you and exchanging drafts, but I am the one motivated by you and Tahsina, Hector!!
Tahsina, your post this week has all the positive and negative highlights of our current teaching contexts. Indeed, there are colleagues who don't want to lose their "special place" before the the children and that somehow affects the younger or more inventive teachers as students are reluctant to leave that comfy path and switch to energetic and active learning only for your class. But in time, you can achieve that! It is a gradual process and they grow to like it, and after a while(once they have got used to the new pattern and internalised it) they even confess to you that such teachers are the breath of fresh air that they are now looking throughout their tedious school day. Tedious?! I ask them, but what's more beautiful than learning new things everyday.. I think the answer is HOW they learn. Proactive is the key word, Hector, I agree!!
My warmest regards to both of you,
Alina :)
Dear Tahsina,
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Nepal!
I am agree with you and Hector that teachers who are teaching through conventional teaching methods, think that they are the master of every thing. In our context, Nepal too, teachers enjoy teaching in the traditional way i.e. lecture method, root learning and memorization. Similarly,students also feel the same. They want to pass the exam but they want to be creative and analytical. Learner autonomy solves these problem if it is implemented positively. I hope you are busy with your project work. Hoping to read your project work reflection very soon.
Thanking you.
With Regards,
Mukti
Hi Tahisna,
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that you discussed the challenges that you face in promoting learner autonomy, but then directly followed with some solutions and ways that you intend to increase autonomy in your students.
I'm very to happy to hear of your enthusiasm for the exchange that you, Hector, and Alina will do for peer review. This is an exciting time! I am confident that what you have planned will work wonderfully with your students; I believe that you can engage them, while also increasing their motivation and autonomy.
All the best!
Courtney