What is an independent learner?

What is an independent learner?

An independent learner is someone who:

• will refer to book on my blog
• refer to films that are relevant to my research
• insert articles that are useful
• visit exhibitions that could help me with my work and research
• include all internet sites under 'source' on my blog
• check blogs and websites daily
• check on unit reading list and read recommended books and papers
• read the brief and highlight important parts
• always prepare for tutorial by writing a list of questions
• do test shoots and make up tests
• write your own blog
• bring your own work in to show to staff
• conduct interviews relevant to essay or project topic and ask what they think
• enter competitions
• attend talks and events external to the unit
• book in for 1:1 tutorials with my tutor
• use tags on my blog so it's easy to find my work
• use quotes and explain why they are there
• include illustrations and drawings on my blog
• include images of practise work that I do outside of class
• experiment and create more than one idea for your work
• time management - spread your time well
• be ambitious - work hard and go after what you want
• remember to back up your work

All of this is very important for me to become an independent learner as this will help me grow and develop during my learning. By attending talks and exhibitions, I can get new inspiration for my ideas and work and by researching and reading blogs daily, I can help gain new knowledge for my blog.

Do interviews
question someone and ask them about their work
question each other and ask them for feedback on your work
get in mini groups - discuss your work together
take responsibility for your outcomes

Ask yourself questions after each lesson such as:

• what did you find challenging about the lesson?
• where there any problems you encountered?
• what did I learn?
• do I need to develop my work any further?
• what do I need to do next?

My short term goal is to get through my first year at university and complete all my work and learn to become an independent learner.

My medium term goal is to finish university with the best possible grade I can receive so I have the best chance possible to make my career dreams come true after I finish.

My long term goal is to become a fashion makeup artist. I dream of working on catwalks around the world, I would also like to work on tv and film for the experience.

REMEMBER

'if you fail, you can always improve. don't be afraid to fail, it's a part of success. learn from your mistakes, improve on them'