WEEK 7: LEARNER AUTONOMY

Do not confine your children to your own learning for they were born in another time. – Hebrew Proverb

It is by this inspiring quote that I would like to start my Week 7 reflection. This week, just like the other six previous weeks proved to be so challenging and so very thought-provoking! We were all taken on the very instructional trip of 'learner autonomy' and how as teachers we could develop this in our students. As a teacher, one must be awed at first glance when one hears about learner autonomy. So many questions are thus raised: what role does the teacher play in the class where the learners are striving towards autonomy? Isn't the teacher now only a passive agent? Won't we finally be replaced by computers and mobiles? Yet, while going through the different readings for the week, it became clear that the autonomous learner needs the teacher. Of course, the usual teacher role- the traditional one- crumbles and has to be replaced by a new shaped one fit for the 21st century . 

Forget about the teacher behind the desk,lecturing. Forget about docile passive students who are note-taking or strangely quiet in class. The new world asks for active student participation where the teacher assigns duties to be accomplished to the students and where there is - if possible- much use of different technological devices to help learning. The student becomes a responsible being, not an empty vessel waiting to be filled.

Undoubtedly, the cooperation of one and all is required. Once the students start to develop a liking for the task at hand, once they get control of their learning, once as teachers we start to give them autonomy, we are thus taking a great leap in the technology-centered 21st century. I realize that in order to developing autonomy in our students is a gradual process. We must blend autonomy with traditional teaching methods until the former takes the lead finally. I am so hopeful that we have the power to shape, to bring the change. Much can be achieved with the help of one and all...

A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops. –Henry Brooks Adams