Should We Encourage Independent Learning?

“There are always going to be people that are nay sayers to stuff because it rocks the boat, it upsets the status quo. How do we know that you are actually doing something meaningful...” - The Independent Project

What makes an environment conducive to learning and what incites leaners to work hard, is finding/creating a space where they feel comfortable and fanning the flame of their developing passions and talents. The Independent Project was created by students for students inciting students to venture down the path they want to follow and lead them to the holy grail of learning. The project hit the nail on the head. Students are more likely to work hard for something they truly want and are passionate about as opposed to being forced into confined learning areas, where knowledge is jam packed into their minds, culminating in fading pits of imagination. When people find their niche, they are faced with an emporium of opportunity, which encourages them to strive for the best. This allows imagination and creativity to dance and flourish, climaxing with exceptional work that exceeds any and all expectations.

Technology has opened the doors and shone a light of possibility to enhance student-directed learning. Hamilton claims that "just in playfully experimenting with digital stuff, discoveries are happening, inquiry is happening, learning is happening. Knowledge is happening, and that knowledge cannot quickly or rightly be categorized as reading or art or science or any of the core subjects to which this knowledge is meant to supplement.” When learners are exposed to new and exciting technology, they funnel their interest into understanding how their new laptop, tablet, phone (or any other technological product) functions. If this interest is then carried through to gaining a better understanding of a topic that spikes their interest, according to Hamilton it can be considered learning... We just need to find a link that will tie this technological interest into developing the necessary skills for success in the future workplace.

If we can find a happy medium between old pedagogical methods and student-directed, technology-based learning, we will be on the right path to meeting the needs of an ever-changing world. If The Independent Project was able to provide a successful learning environment, where students were able to learn whatever interested them and come out with the skills to produce a decent quality project, then surely this is a sign that this is a successful method of education. I do, however, still believe it would be essential to have some form of teacher-figure in this educational environment. They provide a blanket of guidance, encouragement and leadership, where a simple nod of approval may instil a sense of confidence in a student’s ability to complete a task.