{"id":5378,"date":"2016-12-21T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-12-21T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/aurora-institute.org\/blog\/cw_post\/learner-centered-tip-of-the-week-steps-to-grow-learner-autonomy\/"},"modified":"2020-02-05T13:00:22","modified_gmt":"2020-02-05T18:00:22","slug":"learner-centered-tip-of-the-week-steps-to-grow-learner-autonomy","status":"publish","type":"cw_post","link":"https:\/\/aurora-institute.org\/cw_post\/learner-centered-tip-of-the-week-steps-to-grow-learner-autonomy\/","title":{"rendered":"Learner-Centered Tip of the Week: Steps to Grow Learner Autonomy"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"supplies\"This post originally appeared on Courtney Belolan\u2019s website<\/a> on December 9, 2016. Belolan is the instructional coach for RSU2 in Maine.<\/em><\/p>\n

Choice in learning is an essential element of the Applied Learning philosophy. When learners have a say in the what, where, when, and how of their learning both engagement and autonomy flourish. Sometimes when we start thinking through choice in the learning environment our minds swing to the extremes. We imagine a place where the learners direct everything.<\/p>\n

How successful our learners are with directing their own learning depends greatly on the supports we put in place, and then take away, as learners gain skills and confidence. Here is a sequence of steps to take with learners who are just beginning to take on the responsibility for their own learning-related decision making. This step system will work well during the input and processing phases of the learning process.<\/p>\n

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  1. Two Choices, Repeat Tomorrow:<\/strong> Offer learners the choice between two activities or resources to interact with. Both choices should be clearly connected to learning targets and\/or foundational knowledge. Repeat the choices again the next class day. Support learners to keep track of their choice for day 1, so they can independently move on the other option. Some ways to do this:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n