Giving Compass' Take: 

• One teacher explains how technology and self-directed learning prompted her to think about the importance of teaching her students autonomy. 

• Why is autonomy important for kids to learn in the classroom? 

• Entrepreneurship has recently been introduced in school's curriculum in order to provide a more creative and business-focused skill set for students. 

The term “at risk” is loosely defined and using it as an umbrella descriptor for struggling students is a slippery slope. At my suburban school in South Carolina, the term is used liberally to describe students who may fail the End of Course Tests, students who might not get promoted to the next grade level and those at risk of dropping out of school.

The problem is that as an educator, my natural inclination is to provide these students more direct instruction, increased support and even hand-holding at times—but in a society that values individuals who are motivated, persistent self-starters with initiative, that’s not fair.

We are a one-to-one school district, and some teachers would say our Chromebooks have revolutionized teaching and learning, but working independently on a device isn’t easy for everyone.

For students who struggle with attention, the devices have become a tool of distraction and some of them will start playing video games or watching sports on YouTube .

Self-directed learning destabilizes traditional models of learning and that can be scary. I teach my students that failure is an opportunity for growth and that they shouldn’t be afraid to try new things, but sometimes it’s hard to take my own advice.

In reflection, I realize that the “at risk” label was hindering me from trying self-directed learning with my students, and it was stunting their self-confidence. By letting my assumptions get in the way, I came close to becoming another adult who was giving up on them.

I know every lesson I tweak and every new practice I use may not go smoothly, but encouraging all of my students to develop more autonomy is critical to their success so I owe it to them to try.

Read the full article about self-directed learning by Jennifer Bartell at EdSurge.