Some home educators believe (whether true or not) that kids in school are basically learning independently. School kids get themselves to and from class, jot down the homework assignment, complete the work often without assistance, and return that work to school.
Homeschool parents wish their children would get their work done without:
- help,
- reminders,
- cajoling.
And yet: school kids are not independent learners. They are performing a set of tasks determined by the teacher, with due dates and clear instructions. School kids learn how to follow instructions and perform the assigned tasks on their own. I call this: “Doing schoolwork alone.”
Independent learning is something else!
The independent learner takes initiative to learn what is important to them. The independent learner finds resources to support learning: asks for help, conducts research, tries and fails, complains to an empathetic listener, suggests alternative methods for learning, and may want companionship just for the support it offers.
A child who can “do schoolwork alone” is not necessarily learning independently. Rather that child is good at cooperation or obedience without help.
Independent learning means caring about what you are learning and then:
- gathering resources,
- asking questions,
- knowing when you need support,
- trying, failing,
- taking breaks and trying again.
The power of home education.
Being good at “doing schoolwork alone” is especially painful for homeschooled kids. They don’t even get to go to school for a break from all that alone schoolwork. Independent learning can be a joyful experience of companionship and adventure!
So remember: there’s a difference between independent learning and “doing schoolwork by yourself.” Independent learning means taking the initiative to teach yourself what you want to learn but does not mean you always have to learn alone.
