TEL 431: Learning in Workplaces

L2 Activity: Improving your Ability to be Autonomous

Name: Samantha Friedman
Date: 3/29/2015
NOTE: Please italicize all your responses so that nothing is missed when your work
is assessed.
This activity will help you realize where your innate abilities lie with respect to being
autonomous, so that you can make good use of opportunities to be self directed. It will
also help you realize your weaknesses, and to set goals that will help you be mindful
about improving your ability to be self-directed.
The process is based on research by Tassarini (2012) related to the distinct but
interrelated dimensions the author believes are supportive to autonomous learning.
Before you begin, please read the following article about assessing language learners
autonomy.
Tassinari, M. G. (2012). Evaluating learner autonomy: A dynamic model with descriptors.
Studies in Self-Access Learning Journal, 3(1), 24-40. Available at
http://sisaljournal.org/archives/march12/tassinari/

Figure1.Thedynamicmodeloflearnerautonomy(Tassinari,2012)

The model accounts for the wide spectrum of competencies, skills, and actions that
support ones ability to be autonomous.

Following this model, the desire to manage my own learning is superordinate to all
other components, and thus is required in order to address any other component. In
essence, learners can decide to address any component at any point in time, and move
freely from one component to another without following a given path, thus improving
their capabilities to be autonomous.
For this lessons activity, the Tassinari model will be adopted to our context, and adjusted
to eliminate the need for a facilitator.
Recap of Discussion Board
Intrinsic motivation was the small group discussion board topic for this lesson. This was
meant to help you situate yourself in adult learning needs. Summarize what you learned
here:
I already knew quite a bit of information about intrinsic motivation but I learned
that having passion is something that is very important in adult learning. Why would an
adult take the time to do something if they are not truly passionate about it? I also
learned that staying motivated is probably one of the hardest things for me do. When I
am motivated whether it be intrinsic or extrinsic motivation I can get things done but
when I am not it is very hard for me to get started.
YOUR CAPABILITIES
Please reflect about your capability to perform the functions of autonomy, as defined by
Tassinari (2012).
Motivating Yourself. It is important to be able to motivate yourself at the beginning of the
learning process. As well, it is important to be able to remotivate yourself when the initial
motivation wears thin.
Reflect about your strengths and weaknesses related to this function of being an
autonomous learner:
Motivation is difficult for me lately. When I am exhausted it is hard for me to get
motivated to do anything. But on the other hand, I am motivated by many different things,
for example, I want to earn a good grade in my classes so I do the homework. My biggest
weakness in procrastination, I wait till the last minute to do most of my homework
assignments but it also motivates me to get then assignments done before the due date. I
do use intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and rewards. The feeling of success and
understanding new material motivates me just has much as my father saying he is proud
of me when I get an A or a B.
Dealing with Your Feelings. It is important to recognize feelings that come up when
learning, and to process your feelings in order to organize learning effectively.

Reflect about your strengths and weaknesses related to this function of being an
autonomous learner:
As an autonomous learning you must learn to put your feelings aside in certain
situations. Years ago I was not able to deal with my feelings very well and I would get
very frustrated and stop doing my homework or get upset with the teacher and stop going
to class. That was a huge weakness for me. Now, with many years of practice I am able to
deal with and process my feelings better than a lot of people I know. Also with my classes
being online it is a lot easier to deal with my feelings because I can do my work on my
own time instead of leaving the feelings at the door before I walk into class.
Structuring Knowledge. The ability to structure knowledge, sometimes disparate
knowledge bases, is a component that plays a role in all autonomous learning phases and
activities.
Reflect about your strengths and weaknesses related to this function of being an
autonomous learner:
Being able to structure knowledge is another important skill to have. One of my
strengths in this function is that I have the background knowledge that I need for my
courses. I do only have a lot of this background knowledge because the prerequisite
classes that I am required to take. I love my major so most of the information I learn I
want to know so I go and find more information if I can. A weakness would be that the
information sometimes is hard to understand and process for me in an online class
because there is not face to face communication.
Planning. It is important to recognize ones own needs, to formulate these into realistic
learning objectives, and to structure these into steps that create a learning plan. In
addition, one has to be flexible enough to change the learning plan if the situation or
needs should change.
Reflect about your strengths and weaknesses related to this function of being an
autonomous learner:
My weakness with planning is simple, I am not a good student when it comes to
planning out my school work, learning objectives and having a plan. My strength in this
area is that I understand my own needs and I am flexible enough to make changes to the
weak plan that I have at the moment. As time goes on hopefully I can plan my goals out
better and follow the plan more.
Choosing Materials and Methods. The ability to choose and work with suitable learning
materials, methods, and strategies is acquired and developed bit by bit.
Reflect about your strengths and weaknesses related to this function of being an
autonomous learner:

One of my strengths in this functions is that I have a computer. Computers give

anyone suitable learning materials, methods and strategies. Not having any required
textbooks for this course the internet is where I get all of my information. The articles
and TED talks are all online also. My biggest weakness in this area is that I am not a
good computer tech. I am still learning how to find peer edited articles for the ASU
library. But with time, I will get better and then it will become a strength for me.
Completing Tasks. The ability to complete tasks is reliant upon access to any necessary
tools and resources, organizing time to learn, completing individual or multiple tasks, and
employing appropriate methods and strategies.
Reflect about your strengths and weaknesses related to this function of being an
autonomous learner:
Completing tasks is one that is hard for me to point out my strengths and
weaknesses because my weakness is procrastination. I wait till the last minute to
complete them but the fact that there is a due date gives in the motivation to finally do it
knowing that I am on a time limit. One of my strengths when it comes to completing tasks
is that I am able to break large tasks into smaller ones to make them not seem as big.
Monitoring. The ability to reflect on topics, tasks, the learning process, and observing
oneself helps learners to identify their strengths and weaknesses and to structure or restructure learning activities accordingly.
Reflect about your strengths and weaknesses related to this function of being an
autonomous learner:
As for monitoring my learning I could be better at it. I do not do it as much as I
should. Although, I do keep all of my old texts books, papers and other homework
assignments to go back and reflect on something or use that information again. Another
way I am monitoring myself is by doing this homework assignment, I am sitting down
reflecting on my strengths and weaknesses in my learning.
Evaluating. The ability to review what you have learned, how well you have learned, and
what progress has been made toward competencies is the hardest part of autonomous
learning. It requires practice and normally occurs through an exchange with other
learners or superiors.
Reflect about your strengths and weaknesses related to this function of being an
autonomous learner:
Evaluating myself in an online course is definitely a weakness for me. It is hard to
say how much I have really learned because ultimately I have to teach myself the

material and tests are not my strong suit. One of my strengths in evaluating is that I do
go back and review what and how I learned something to see if it worked well or not. For
classes that are in person, I do not like lectures but for online classes I enjoy the TED
talks. I remember information from them and find it more entertaining than reading an
article. Another strength for me is that when I am reflecting and realized something did
not work I will not try that again or I will make the correct changes to better suit my
learning.
Cooperating. The ability to cooperate extends learning from an isolated independent
activity to learning in association with others. Cooperation can support learners to
complete tasks, realize a project, negotiate resources, evaluate the outcome, etc.
Reflect about your strengths and weaknesses related to this function of being an
autonomous learner:
I believe that one of my strengths in cooperating is that I am easy to get along
with. I also help and support others when they ask for it. My biggest weakness is that I do
not stand up for myself the way I should. Recently in a group project I did not agree with
another girl on how we should do the PowerPoint but one of my strengths is that I am
able to put my ego aside and we ended up doing a wonderful job.
PLAN FOR IMPROVEMENT
Reflect about your overall strengths and weaknesses related to the function of learner
autonomy (75-100 words):
I feel as if I have a healthy balance of strengths and weaknesses when it comes to
being an autonomy learner. If there was not deadlines and a point value system for my
classes I do not think I would do the homework. I think that a lot of my strengths and
weaknesses go hand in hand with each other. I also think because I have very good
strengths in dealing with my feelings, motivating myself (when I want to) and monitoring
my learning that my weaknesses in other areas can be worked on.
Pick 3 areas that, if strengthened, would create the most impact in your ability to be an
autonomous learner:
Planning, cooperating, and evaluating
Explain how you made this decision:
I chose planning, cooperating and evaluating because if I could plan my different
homework assignments for my classes around my work schedule, internship and having a
social life I would not be stressed out all the time. I am very bad at planning and need
work on managing everything in my life right now. Whereas, cooperating is not hard for
me but I have a hard time standing up for myself and having confrontation with people
that I do not know very well. If I can believe that my opinion matters just has much as
anyones in the group I can become a better team player. As for evaluating I feel as if I

just do not really do that and need to more. I should make a journal to see the best ways
that I learn instead of just trying to remember if a certain way worked well or not.
What short-term and long-term activities would help you address the deficit in these
areas?
Deficit Area #1: Planning
Activities
Research that would People who might Supplies/materials that
be helpful
help or support me would be helpful
Get a planner
Information of how
Classmates/friends Planner and pencil
to deal with stress
Set alarms on
How to do that
Friends
Cellphone
my phone as
reminders
Set myself
Information on
Mentors, teachers, Poster board, white
goals
healthy/realistic
family, friends
board, anything big
goalsThe difference
enough to write
between realistic
multiple goals on
goals and what are
not.
Make a Dream Find out what a
Friends, loved
Cut of pictures from
board
dream board is
ones
magazines or anything
and make a vison dream
board for where you
want to be in a year
Writing done
Information on how
Myself
Pencil, pen, paper.
ideas
writing information
done can help your
memory
Deficit Area #2: Cooperating
Activities
Research that would
be helpful
Practice
Learn to speak
up
Get involved
with different
groups activities

How to be more
assertive
Knowing that I am
not stupid
Research different
group activities. For
example, soccer
teams, rock climbing
group. Tutoring help
could be useful

People who
might help or
support me
Friends and
family
Friends/teachers
Friends, tutors,
fellow
classmates

Supplies/materials that
would be helpful
Practicing my thoughts
in a mirror or to a friend
Practice speaking in
public
Whatever the activity
calls for. For example, a
small soccer group I
would need a ball,
cleats, shin guards ect.

Deficit Area #3: Evaluating

Activities
Research that would
be helpful.

Evaluate myself

How does one

evaluate

Get more
organized
Vison board

25 hacks for
organization
What is a vision
board; other peoples
boards

Therapy

Who to go see in
therapy

People who might

help or support me.
(Explain their
related expertise or
experience.)
Former teachers
that I had. They
evaluate themselves
after teaching
classes.
Friends and blogs

Supplies/materials
that would be helpful

Friends/family

Look back on the

vision and board and
see how much you
accomplished
Keeping a binder of
all the sessions so
that you can go back
and look how much
you grew from the
past.

My therapist. He as
a degree and a lot
of experience being
a therapist; he
always knows the
right things to say
even if I do not
want to hear it.

Look at past notes

and journals

Organization martials

VISION FOR SELF-DIRECTEDNESS

Review the resources provided for this lesson. Then write a vision for how you will
address your professional learning from a self-directed standpoint. Following APA
guidelines, use in-text citations to refer to at least 3 of the information sources from this
lesson and one or more outside resources that are helpful. Create a reference list
following APA guidelines.
(300-500 word count, not including references).
I will address my professional learning just as author Lucy M. Guglielmino stated,
Self-directed learner takes responsibility for his or her own learning, and more often
chooses or influences the learning objectives, activities, resources, priorities, and levels
of energy expenditure than does the other-directed learner (2008, p.2). I came back to

school this time as an adult and ready to learn. Being independent on my learning is also
a way that I am a self-directed. I am not the type of student that needs direct instructions
when it comes to an assignment. If I am told to write a paper about something I will write
at least two pages unless other specified. When students ask How many pages? How
many words? How many sources do I need? Drives me crazy because as a student and a
learner I feel as if you should write until you feel as if you have enough information that
gets your point across without repeating yourself or blabbering. According to the article,
Adult Learning Theory and Principles, Adults are internally motivated and selfdirected. (2011). I agree with that statement and I feel as if I can relate to that because as
an adult you want to get things done for the sole fact that they need to get done. I also
love what I learning so I interested to find out more. I find that self-directed learning is
done more in online classes than classes that are taught in person. In Tassinaris dynamic
model of learner autonomy, Each component of the dynamic model entails a set of
descriptors which give specific statements of individual competencies, skills and learning
behaviors of learners (2010). By following that model you cannot go wrong in the
learning process. Structuring knowledge, dealing with my feelings and motivation are
very strong areas for myself when I want them to be. If I can continue to keep up the
good work I will be very happy with the end results that I will earn. Where on the other
hand if I can continue to work on evaluating myself and planning my learning experience
will be better overall because then I would not be stressed out all of the time.
If learners are proactively committed to their learning, the problem of motivation
is by definition solved; although they may not always feel entirely positive about all
aspects of their learning, autonomous learners have developed the reflective and

attitudinal resources to overcome temporary motivational setbacks (Little, 2015). To me

that very true, although my motivation is not always there I am able to overcome those
setbacks because I want to further my education and future career. When I have days
where I am not motivated I make sure the next day I am. I am in school because I want to
be not because I have to be.
As for my future career, I want to prepare children for Kindergarten. Guglielmino states
for the self-directed learning approach to work, The teacher as mentor or facilitator
rather than dispenser of knowledge to be committed to memory, and the learner as a
thinker and creator of knowledge rather than a passive recipient of the knowledge of
others (2008, p.3). I believe teachers today should model out information for students or
give them options on what they want to do for their learning instead of telling them what
the need to do. Even though, children do need direction in their lives they also need the
opportunity to make decisions to think for themselves and learn from informal
experiences such as play.
At the Daycare where I work the children learn through play and they are able to decide
if they want to make art, play with the current theme of the week or play on the
playground. They are not getting drilled with information in the sense of the sky is blue
but yet they learn that through other activities.

References
Guglielmino, L. M. (2008). Why self-directed learning? International Journal of SelfDirected Learning 5(1), 1-14. Available at http://www.sdlglobal.com/IJSDL/IJSDL5.12008.pdf

Little, D. (2015, January 1). Learner autonomy and second/foreign language learning.
Retrieved March 30, 2015, from https://www.llas.ac.uk/resources/gpg/1409

Queensland Occupational Therapy Fieldwork Collaborative. (2007). Adult learning

theories and principles: Become familiar with adult learning theory and the six
principles of adult learning. Retrieved fromhttp://www.qotfc.edu.au/resource/?
page=65375

Tassinari, M. G. (2012). Evaluating learner autonomy: A dynamic model with

descriptors. Studies in Self-Access Learning Journal, 3(1), 24-40.