WEEK 2: Reaching Learning Autonomy!

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Based on the article “Effectiveness of the Integration of ICT Tools and Activities to Foster Awareness as the First Stage to Reach Learning Autonomy" by Andrea Ariza and Mario Suárez Sánchez.

Since very early in education history, the learning process has always been seen as a difficult task for anybody to go through or at least that is the assumption there is. Back then, it would have been hard to believe that students could learn properly without the teacher's guidance, not to mention get improvement. Nevertheless, nowadays things are different, that in the sense of teachers fostering autonomous learning and even more important, students taking advantage of the technological tools they have to achieve that independence.

The authors define autonomy, as the “capacity students have for detachment". In other words, the students' capacity to be objective when learning. Such objectiveness does not impli students memorizing concepts but students being able to self regulate their learning and take responsibility to enhance it as well (setting goals and selecting appropriate methods).

Something I agree with is when the author says that there might be some restrictions regarding the use of CALL to promote autonomy.  The lack of technical competence, the lack of interest, disinclination to be autonomous, and poor interaction on the part of the learner.

I think we as teacher have to be aware of our learners limitations in order to know if use or not use ICT tools to promote self learning. However, either with or without ICT tools, we have to encourage them to reach such independence.