I have written about the need for students to learn to take notes as one of the vital skills that a successful student who hopes to be an independent learner. Note-taking improves the students ability to decide what is important information and what is not. It also helps him to organize the information into a proper structure most suited for his own learning. In addition to note-taking, a student must also acquire a few other skills. This includes the need to be social and collaborative; seek all possible sources of learning; reflect and evaluate his learning to make judgment about what he has learned; and apply and transfer his learning in dissimilar situations from that where his original learning has taken place.

One of the most important skills that a learner must possess are good social skills. Learning is very much a social process. The stereotype image of a learner as the lone geek is far from the truth about how learning takes place. Good social skills will assists him to be part of any learning community and participate in the active exchange of ideas. Collaboration with other learners becomes part of his learning style. Good social skills include the ability to respect any potential source of knowledge. This respect is essential because otherwise a natural mental block will be erected in his mind that will prevent any learning from taking place. Proper respect also includes respect for authoritative sources of knowledge. While this does not mean that he dismiss less authoritative sources of knowledge, it means simply that he is more discerning about where and who he is getting his information from. He also is more discerning about the quality that he is receiving from the source. It also serves as a mirror for him when it is his turn to transfer or share his knowledge with others. Those same qualities that make a source of knowledge authoritative can help him try to emulate those quality in the manner that he conveys or shares his knowledge with others. Good social skills will of course also help to open doors to new sources of knowledge too. Therefore, while it may sound like a contradiction, an independent learner is a social learner.

Another important skill is not to over rely on only one source of knowledge. Although it is important to be committed to a source of reliable knowledge, one must also be willing to expand one’s learning circle to include many other sources of knowledge. To source for other avenues of knowledge is not to be done in a haphazard manner. Again, a keen discernment of what is useful and important helps one not to go into information “black holes” where one because lost in information overload.

A good independent learner must also be a reflective learner. He is reflective with regards to what is learned; how it is learned and transmitted; what learning is important; and what learning is to be prioritized. All of these are important fro him to be more effective in his learning. He will not be a robot. He will not be someone who is just being led blindly. He becomes clearer about the direction and needs of his learning.

Lastly, an independent learner must be bale to apply his learning in different contexts. When he is able to do that, his learning has become real and meaningful. It would refelect a deeper understanding of what he has learnt because he would have to adapt what he has to lend what he has learn to fit with different environments and its challenges. Adaptation such as this can only take place with deep understanding as opposed to superficial learning that often takes place in schools.

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