Self Directed Learning
A self directed learning environment allows the student to take control of their own education. It allows the students the freedom to customize their own learning program that is tailored to fit the needs and wants of their personal goals, interests and abilities. Students choose the programs and courses they want to participate in, completing these courses at their own individual pace that adheres to their own personal needs and learning pace. Even though students create their own learning programs, they must follow the Alberta Education curriculum and must fill the requirements to graduate with an Alberta High School Diploma. A program like this allows the student to take more responsibility in the decisions of their education. ("Self-directed learning", n.d.)
Bishop Carroll High School in Calgary, Alberta has been offering a self-directed learning program since 1971.
What makes their program unique? The flexibility and ability to adapt to meet the needs of the individual learner
combine to create success for the student involved.
The Five Pillars
1. Independent Study
Course material is compiled into self-study packages, otherwise known as Learning Guides. These guides are provided online or in paper format. The purpose of learning guides are to point students in the right direction and show students exactly what they must learn, how to learn it and prepare the student for testing. Learning guides include a variety of activities that target a range of learning styles. Depending on the activity, this includes watching videos, readings, completing questions and written assignments, conducting experiments, completing self-tests, just to name a few. Learning guides allow the opportunity to work independently, or complete them collaboratively, engaging the students in team work, seminars, and group presentations.
Teachers are available within subject area resource centres for one on one student help. Having an open environment and easy access to a variety of teachers allows students to build and create relationships with teachers that use a teaching style that works best for the student. Teachers are there to help students achieve success within their learning process.
"The ultimate goal of independent study is to foster a sense of ownership of the knowledge learned. If successful, the student will understand how to learn, which is an important skill for post-secondary". ("The Five Pillars", n.d.)
2. Teacher Advisor (TA) Role
Although the program is a Self-Directed learning program, students are not alone in the journey. Teacher Advisors contribute time and effort to each of their students, working together to develop academic plans and ensuring that the student is achieving their goals and obtaining success. Each student that enters the school is assigned a Teacher Advisor, who will remain their teacher advisor until graduation. Students meet with their TA's twice a day at check in and check out, and then once on a weekly basis individually. The role of the TA is to help students create goals, motivate them, make sure students are staying on track with their programs and keeping in touch with parents. It is also the TA's duty to complete progress reports and keep students and parents up to date on their progress. TA's become mentors to their students and strong working relationships can be formed in the three years that a student and teacher advisor are paired together.
"A TA will not only motivate and support your child, but they will also become a mentor and someone who genuinely cares about your child's education and future." ("The Five Pillars", n.d.)
3. Continuous Progress
Allowing students the opportunity to set their own pace for learning creates an element of continuous progress. Rather than waiting for classmates to catch up, or slowing peers down, students can complete assignments and tests at their own pace. Continuous progress also allows students the opportunity to begin and complete courses at any point in the school year. A student can work ahead and finish a course over the span of 2 months, or if they need additional help, they can expand the course to the length of the year. It's all up to the student and what works best for them. It also allows students to pick up and start where they left off in a course if they have to take an extended leave due to athletics, injury or illness.
"This approach provides the opportunity for students to take the time they need to master course objectives. Through continuous progress, students get a true sense of their own strengths and weaknesses and are given the power to tailor their learning programs with these in mind." ("The Five Pillars", n.d.)
4. Individualized Schedules
A lack of school schedule allows students the opportunity to create their own schedules. Students have access to resource centres, seminars, tutorials and one on one instruction. Students also have the chance to sign up for structured activities in subjects like Music, Drama, Math and Health Fitness & Recreation (Physical Education). Tests can also be written whenever a student feels ready to complete it. Due to the flexibility of a program such as this, a student must demonstrate greater responsibility and dedication to their education. As student's needs change throughout their education, the flexibility of an individualized schedule allows a student to meet their needs at any given time. The teacher advisor acts as a consultant in course selection and the building of schedules, holding the student accountable for every decision the student makes.
"The flexibility of individualized scheduling also allows students to pursue other opportunities and interests off campus, providing a well rounded education. This includes participating in work experience, cooperative education and mentoring programs." ("The Five Pillars", n.d.)
5. Differentiated Staffing
Support staff and access to numerous support resources is an essential part of running a self-directed learning program. Not only are teacher advisors available to support students through their education, but additional teachers, school assistants and clerical assistants are accessible at any point in a students learning journey.
"Individual help is always available to students and additional staff allow teachers to spend more quality time assisting students." ("The Five Pillars", n.d.)
Self-directed learning. (n.d.).Retrieved October 25th, 2015 from the Bishop Carroll High School website:
http://schools.cssd.ab.ca/bishopcarroll/about-us/self-directed-learning/
The five pillars (n.d.). Retrieved October 26th, 2015 from the Bishop Carroll High School website:
http://schools.cssd.ab.ca/bishopcarroll/about-us/the-five-pillars/
A self directed learning environment allows the student to take control of their own education. It allows the students the freedom to customize their own learning program that is tailored to fit the needs and wants of their personal goals, interests and abilities. Students choose the programs and courses they want to participate in, completing these courses at their own individual pace that adheres to their own personal needs and learning pace. Even though students create their own learning programs, they must follow the Alberta Education curriculum and must fill the requirements to graduate with an Alberta High School Diploma. A program like this allows the student to take more responsibility in the decisions of their education. ("Self-directed learning", n.d.)
Bishop Carroll High School in Calgary, Alberta has been offering a self-directed learning program since 1971.
What makes their program unique? The flexibility and ability to adapt to meet the needs of the individual learner
combine to create success for the student involved.
The Five Pillars
1. Independent Study
Course material is compiled into self-study packages, otherwise known as Learning Guides. These guides are provided online or in paper format. The purpose of learning guides are to point students in the right direction and show students exactly what they must learn, how to learn it and prepare the student for testing. Learning guides include a variety of activities that target a range of learning styles. Depending on the activity, this includes watching videos, readings, completing questions and written assignments, conducting experiments, completing self-tests, just to name a few. Learning guides allow the opportunity to work independently, or complete them collaboratively, engaging the students in team work, seminars, and group presentations.
Teachers are available within subject area resource centres for one on one student help. Having an open environment and easy access to a variety of teachers allows students to build and create relationships with teachers that use a teaching style that works best for the student. Teachers are there to help students achieve success within their learning process.
"The ultimate goal of independent study is to foster a sense of ownership of the knowledge learned. If successful, the student will understand how to learn, which is an important skill for post-secondary". ("The Five Pillars", n.d.)
2. Teacher Advisor (TA) Role
Although the program is a Self-Directed learning program, students are not alone in the journey. Teacher Advisors contribute time and effort to each of their students, working together to develop academic plans and ensuring that the student is achieving their goals and obtaining success. Each student that enters the school is assigned a Teacher Advisor, who will remain their teacher advisor until graduation. Students meet with their TA's twice a day at check in and check out, and then once on a weekly basis individually. The role of the TA is to help students create goals, motivate them, make sure students are staying on track with their programs and keeping in touch with parents. It is also the TA's duty to complete progress reports and keep students and parents up to date on their progress. TA's become mentors to their students and strong working relationships can be formed in the three years that a student and teacher advisor are paired together.
"A TA will not only motivate and support your child, but they will also become a mentor and someone who genuinely cares about your child's education and future." ("The Five Pillars", n.d.)
3. Continuous Progress
Allowing students the opportunity to set their own pace for learning creates an element of continuous progress. Rather than waiting for classmates to catch up, or slowing peers down, students can complete assignments and tests at their own pace. Continuous progress also allows students the opportunity to begin and complete courses at any point in the school year. A student can work ahead and finish a course over the span of 2 months, or if they need additional help, they can expand the course to the length of the year. It's all up to the student and what works best for them. It also allows students to pick up and start where they left off in a course if they have to take an extended leave due to athletics, injury or illness.
"This approach provides the opportunity for students to take the time they need to master course objectives. Through continuous progress, students get a true sense of their own strengths and weaknesses and are given the power to tailor their learning programs with these in mind." ("The Five Pillars", n.d.)
4. Individualized Schedules
A lack of school schedule allows students the opportunity to create their own schedules. Students have access to resource centres, seminars, tutorials and one on one instruction. Students also have the chance to sign up for structured activities in subjects like Music, Drama, Math and Health Fitness & Recreation (Physical Education). Tests can also be written whenever a student feels ready to complete it. Due to the flexibility of a program such as this, a student must demonstrate greater responsibility and dedication to their education. As student's needs change throughout their education, the flexibility of an individualized schedule allows a student to meet their needs at any given time. The teacher advisor acts as a consultant in course selection and the building of schedules, holding the student accountable for every decision the student makes.
"The flexibility of individualized scheduling also allows students to pursue other opportunities and interests off campus, providing a well rounded education. This includes participating in work experience, cooperative education and mentoring programs." ("The Five Pillars", n.d.)
5. Differentiated Staffing
Support staff and access to numerous support resources is an essential part of running a self-directed learning program. Not only are teacher advisors available to support students through their education, but additional teachers, school assistants and clerical assistants are accessible at any point in a students learning journey.
"Individual help is always available to students and additional staff allow teachers to spend more quality time assisting students." ("The Five Pillars", n.d.)
Self-directed learning. (n.d.).Retrieved October 25th, 2015 from the Bishop Carroll High School website:
http://schools.cssd.ab.ca/bishopcarroll/about-us/self-directed-learning/
The five pillars (n.d.). Retrieved October 26th, 2015 from the Bishop Carroll High School website:
http://schools.cssd.ab.ca/bishopcarroll/about-us/the-five-pillars/