2. How Can We Encourage Students to Be Independent Learners?

Students must be active participants in the learning process, and become "owners of their learning". Gone are the days when teachers were expected to "deposit knowledge into students´ heads", and students took a more passive role. Teachers, in the 21st century classroom, must avoid "spoon-feeding" students, and instead help them become active, independent learners. Encouraging and challenging students to think and act by themselves shoud be our greatest aim. 

Learning, if meaningful, is supposed to transform students’ lives. A teacher´s responsibility is to shape people who are able to continue empowering their skills throughout their lives. We need to shape critical thinkers and lifelong learners. Learning goes way beyond the classroom, and clearly, we should not only think in terms of grades. Students need to develop the skills to learn by themselves and become more self-directed.

For students, independent learning will involve taking initiative, making their own decisions and solving problems by themselves. It also involves the ability to choose the learning strategies that best suit their needs. Of course, becoming an independent learner does not occur overnight; it is a process. Students need our support and guidance, especially at the early stages. Scaffolding then is necessary until students become more independent.

To encourage independent learning, we can introduce different “independent learning activities” that our student can experiment with and benefit from. Students will have to reflect on their strengths, weaknesses and needs, setting goals for themselves. They must also be willing to ask for feedback as a part of their learning, and ask for help when necessary.