What is Independent Learning? Independent learning means taking personal responsibility for

www.kent.ac.uk/student-learning-advisory-service
Independent learning,
reflective & critical thinking

What is Independent Learning?

Independent learning means taking personal responsibility for:

• Attending your lectures and seminars
• Completing your assignments on time
• Finding your best learning methods
• Finding time and space to work

Becoming Independent

• Understand basic course information
• Get kitted out
• Manage your time
• Find out what you need to know

Locate resources

• Student Learning Advisory Service (SLAS)

http://www.kent.ac.uk/student-learning-advisory-service

• Online teaching and learning guide for students

https://www.kent.ac.uk/guides/online-teaching-and-learning-a-guide-for-students

• Student Support and Wellbeing

https://www.kent.ac.uk/studentsupport/wellbeing/

Independent learning

Additional aspects of independent learning are:

• Critical thinking

- Thinking independently by assessing the validity

of what you hear, see and read.

• Reflective thinking

- Independently enhancing your learning by

reflecting on you experiences

Critical thinking

This means:

• Going beyond describing or explaining
• Examining a topic from different angles
• Identifying arguments surrounding it
• Assessing strengths and weaknesses of ideas, evidence and theories
• Reaching a conclusion (verdict)

Critical thinking

Independently questioning information:

• Analysis – Who wrote this? From what viewpoint? What does the article show? Why is this theory, debate, process important?
• Evaluation – is the information supported by evidence? Do the views expressed in this article appear biased? Have other viewpoints, or processes been taken into consideration. What data or evidence would improve the argument or outcome?

Critical thinking

Description Tells the reader what you’ve done Summarises a piece of literature Gives facts (data, measurements) Summarises what is known about a topic

Critical writing Says why and how, and considers the limits of your research Says what it shows, identifies key issues, and explores its accuracy Says what they show or suggest, whilst challenging methods Says why it is important, but identifies gaps and contradictions

Critical thinking

Expressing your independent assessment:

‘The main weakness of this argument is…’

‘The author does not fully explain…’

‘The survey does not take account of…’

‘This method has several advantages…’

‘One benefit of this approach is…’

Reflective thinking

A way to improve your learning process:

• Assignments
• Diary
• Learning journal

Reflective thinking

A process to enhance your learning:

1 The experience

Brief description of a recent academic experience or exercise.

2 Reflection/observation

How did it work out? What went well, what didn’t? How did you feel?

3 Analysis/evaluation

What have you learnt about yourself, the process, the experience?

4 Action plan/improvement

What will you do next time to improve the experience or its outcome?

Reflective thinking

The four-stage process in practice:

1 The experience

My seminar today – following on from last week’s lecture.

2 Reflection/observation

I felt out of my depth. I didn’t say anything. Some of it I didn’t understand.

3 Analysis/evaluation

Everyone else brought notes. The same preparation would have helped me.

4 Action plan/improvement

I’ll spend an hour before my next seminar making a summary of my lecture notes to take with me. I’ll also jot down some questions I’d like to ask.

To sum up…

Independent learning involves:

• Taking personal responsibility – for your time and your studies
• Thinking for yourself – critically analysing what you hear, see and read to draw your own conclusions as to their validity
• Self-reflection – independently enhancing your learning by reflecting on experiences and making changes accordingly to improve your performance

Further resources

For guidance on the broader range of skills needed to succeed in your studies please go to the SLAS webpages http://www.kent.ac.uk/student-learning-advisory-service where you can:

• Book a one-to-one appointment with a SLAS adviser
• Attend a range of Online Bitesize Skills Development sessions

Get in touch…

www.kent.ac.uk/student-learning-advisory-service
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