Shift to self-motivated, self-directed learning
We sailed through adapting and adjusting to the new normal. But slowly there is a fatigue setting in. The initial excitement of online school has waned off to boredom, mute, video off, lying on couch scenario.
It is at this point we need a paradigm shift in the approach — to move from compliance to engagement. Create an environment where the student ‘wants to learn’ rather than ‘have to learn’. Amazingly, children had taught themselves without any assistance; the driving force was curiosity and yearning to explore.
Just exploring making more accidental or incidental discoveries. Research shows that children develop deep learning by teaching themselves. This method of instruction is called Minimally Invasive Education (MIE). But independent learning can be very challenging, even for the brightest and most moti- vated students.
Four stages to self-directed learning are: readiness to learn, setting learning goals, engaging in the learning process, and evaluating learning. We can support students by motivating, appreciating and di- recting their learning experi- ence. Such an empowered classroom is a shift from giving choices to inspiring possibilities.
So, instead of making the subject interesting let us tap into student interests. Let them choose their resources to ac- complish their goals of inquiry. Instead of saying ‘you must learn this,’ we should ask them ‘what do you want to learn?’It will be a shift from what we have been doing in classrooms as differentiating instruction to personalising learning.
Let them choose their resources to accomplish their goals of inquiry. This shift to self-motivated, self-directed learning would bring in ownership with better concentration and better attention span. Such meaningful learning would lead to creative and critical thinkers and problem- solvers of the world, well equipped with skills for the future workplace.
Gayethri Mote,
Research Resource Department,
Pallavi Educational Institutes
Now you can get handpicked stories from Telangana Today on Telegram everyday. Click the link to subscribe.
Click to follow Telangana Today Facebook page and Twitter .