• How Do Self-Assessments Promote Autonomous Learning?

How do self-assessments promote autonomous learning?

In recent years, the term self-assessment has become a buzzword in the educational field. As more educators champion the use of formative assessments, which take place during learning, in contrast to summative assessments that take place after, self-assessments have risen in popularity. Self-assessments give students the opportunity to objectively critique their learning and pinpoint their strengths and weaknesses. These assessments can be developed independently by the teacher or together with the students. Students using self-assessments are able to reflect on their work and develop strategies catered to their specific learning style. Self-assessments put students on the path to becoming autonomous learners. Autonomous learning is when students take ownership of their learning and continue to learn outside of the classroom, transforming into what

Students use self-assessments to monitor their progress towards reaching a defined goal. Observing, interpreting, judging and planning are some of the components of self-assessments that contribute to the development of autonomy (“Framework for Self,” 2006). These components enable students to identify their specific learning style and develop strategies to improve performance. An autonomous learner takes greater responsibility for his or her educational outcomes. The first step to becoming an autonomous learner is through self-assessment. Many proponents of autonomous learning list the assessment as the single, most important component of autonomous learning. Educators, in a classroom with a high degree of autonomous learning, assume the role of facilitators, bringing about learning through stimulation rather than instruction. The ability of a student to evaluate his or her learning is a component of self-assessment and a hallmark of an autonomous