Morpheus: ‘I’m trying to free your mind, Neo. But I
can only show you the door. You’re the one who must walk through it’
- The Matrix (Film)
This week’s discussion was about
Learner Autonomy and one Computer Classrooms. In the environment where I teach,
having a computer in every classroom is not always possible. There are new
projects that have been conducted about having more technologically supported
classrooms but of course this kind of innovations take time.
Learner Autonomy according to
(Holec,1981) is the “ability to take charge of one’s own learning”, learner
autonomy is not an ability “is not inborn but must be acquired either by
‘natural’ means or by formal learning in a systematic, deliberate way”. He also
points out that autonomus learner should “ …take charge of his learning and
have the responsibility for all the decisions concerning all aspects of this
learning..” (Holec 1981, p.3). It is also important to be an autonomus learners
as teachers. A teacher has the reponsibility to improve the way s/he teaches
and also should try to catch up with the innovative changes in the area of
ESL/EFL studies. By improving ourselves we become role models to our students. As the above quote indicates, as being the
teachers of this new century, what we really need to do is to show the way
“how” they can do things intead of telling tham “what” to do.
Today, foreign language education is a
prominent issue on my country’s educational agenda. While forming a national
policy in education, the needs, objectives and the realities of the society
should be taken into consideration. The needs analysis should be done according
to concrete scientific data studied by professionals. While planning the
language studies, innovative changes should also be taken into considiration as
Turkish society is a transitional society between the “Orrient and Occident”.
Language policy of a country is an
important issue in having Autonomos learners in the society. The students
should be taught about the strategies in order to become autonomos learners
starting from the early ages. The decision of such an important thing should
also be taken by the academicians and put into the curriculum of the national
education system.
The discussions this week were really
fruitful and I have gained a lot with all the sharings of my colleagues. This
new experience as a whole is one of a kind because it is not very common to
learn the teaching environments, needs, Project plans of teachers who are kms
away from where we actually live. I hope to keep in touch with everyone in the
program and hope to study together in the future.
As for the final Project, we have moved
one step further as we have chosen our partners for the peer check. We have all
started to write down the first draft of our Final Project so that we can send
it to our peers. I am hoping to have a
well prepared Final Project so that I can get the best out of my studies.
Hi Hulya,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with what you wrote about country's language policy. It is an essential step that has to be undertaken in reaching the goal of learner's autonomy. It is a long way to learner autonomy and
as you have mentioned we should start to imply it already with the young kinds.
Matej
Hi Hulya
ReplyDeleteI like the idea that learners should be taught be autonomous from beginning. If they become more autonomous they learn in meaningful way.Learners autonomy demands more responsible learners and teachers. Perhaps learners autonomy is more challenging for teachers too.
Regards
Krishna
Dear Hulya,
ReplyDeleteCan't agree with you more when you mention the importance of a consistent policy. The problem is - the policy makers always have a theoretical approach. They are never interested to involve the practitioners. But the teachers working with students day in and day out are the real 'experts.'
All the best with your project work.
Tahsina
Dear Matej,Krishna and Tahsina,
ReplyDeleteThank you for yor comments on my post. I belive that the developing a language policy that will work is one of the most important problems that we face as teachers. I hope the problem can be finalized so that we, as teachers, can move on with a system that works well for the sake of the students.
Best,
Hülya
Dear Hulya,
ReplyDeleteGood day
As you have described here discussion was about Learner Autonomy and one Computer Classrooms are very important for us. By improving ourselves we become role models to our students,teachers of this new century, what we really need to do is to show the way “how” they can do things intead of telling tham “what” to do.As you have describe Foreign language education is also prominent issue on our country’s and while forming a national policy in education, the needs, objectives and the realities of the society should be taken into consideration.Thanking you very much for sharing your hard work and important activities.
Best Regards
Bhuwan
Hi Hülya
ReplyDeleteI love the quote you have used at the very beginning. There can't be more relevant one than this on the context. We can simply show the 'door'.
Like your country, ours also puts emphasis on learning foreign language, namely English. And I also agree that a learner needs to be 'trained' to be an autonomous learner. Anyway, the week has indeed been a fruitful one for we've learned and shared so many things.
Best of luck for your project.
Moni