Innovation Profile 070

Pedagogy to support independent learning

‘Pedagogy’ is the science of teaching. Pedagogy is therefore about what the teacher does. But the influence of the teacher on the learner does not stop when the student leaves the classroom.

There are many reasons to adopt online courses. Independent learning is growing, stimulated and supported by ICT-based learning content, tools and communications. How can teachers adapt their pedagogical approach to better enable students to learn independently?

Consider the scenarios where independent learning is essential or desirable. Consider also that it is natural that the amount of independent learning students do should grow as they get older – young people need to become mature and motivated learners, able to independently access the learning opportunities and teaching support that they need.

Digitalbrain have partnered with the UK National Extension College to create a number of online AS level courses (normally taken by 16/17yr old students). At http://alevels.digitalbrain.com/alevels/web/whyonlineas/home/ ten reasons to adopt online courses are explored. Some of the scenarios for using this online service are closely integrated with face-to-face teaching. In others the student has far less interaction with a teacher and must rely more on their own learning capabilities and the support the online service can provide.

To maximise the value that a teacher can provide to students, different pedagogical approaches will be needed for different situations. If face-to-face interaction is possible there are more ways in which teachers can motivate and guide their students. But there is no reason why techniques developed to help students who cannot be face-to-face with their teacher should not also be used.

If much of a student's work has to be done independently, what should the teacher or mentor be doing in their pedagogy to help the student maximise their learning? And how should this change the way face-to-face time is used?

In many schools/colleges pedagogy is approached by considering first what happens in class and then what independent learning can add to this. But it may be more sensible, particularly for older students, to consider first how to motivate and teach students to learn independently and then to consider what value face-to-face teaching in the classroom could add to this.

The Digitalbrain Learning Company Profile on our web site will give you an overview of this company and a list of other Innovation Profiles connected with it.

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If you know of examples of innovative use of ICT-for-learning that others would be interested in, please email innovations@eep-edu.org

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