Empowered Learners - further information
For learners to be truly empowered, it is not enough for teachers to know how their students learn best - the students themselves need to understand how they learn best. Therefore an inevitable component of an approach which empowers learners involves learning about learning as a key feature of the curriculum. For learners to be fully empowered, teachers appreciate that this understanding must encompass not only the intellectual cognitive aspects of learning - the traditional ‘study skills’ of formal education including the organising and processing of information, making connections to prior knowledge and understanding, asking and answering questions and developing creativity and innovation. It must also involve understanding the contribution of the emotional aspects of learning, including consideration of resilience to the challenges of learning evident through levels of persistence, perseverance, focus, concentration and the ability to overcoming distractions. It also includes consideration of factors which lead to self-motivation, reduced anxiety, control of impulsiveness and anger, and an appreciation of the role of mindfulness in effective learning.
The traditional roles of teachers and learners also begin to evolve within an empowered learner approach. The teacher becomes a facilitator and mentor in guiding students to become active participants in the design of the learning process, having ownership and responsibility for how and what they learn. Teachers enable learners to develop the skills to select and use appropriate resources (including technology) to support and enhance their learning. They choose the most appropriate environment for their learning. Empowered learners are encouraged to connect learning to their interests, talents and passions and to make their own judgements about their progress and reflect on their learning process.
The traditional roles of teachers and learners also begin to evolve within an empowered learner approach. The teacher becomes a facilitator and mentor in guiding students to become active participants in the design of the learning process, having ownership and responsibility for how and what they learn. Teachers enable learners to develop the skills to select and use appropriate resources (including technology) to support and enhance their learning. They choose the most appropriate environment for their learning. Empowered learners are encouraged to connect learning to their interests, talents and passions and to make their own judgements about their progress and reflect on their learning process.