2 — What are the characteristics of introvert learners? Introverts generally have a shy nature, and students who are introverted have a solitary learning style, as they often prefer to solve problems on their own. Introverted learners like to brainstorm and seek theoretical exploration. They want to think out a problem and weigh options before moving forward.
Introverted learners have the following characteristics:
Appear reflective or reserved
Slow to take action – sometimes too slow
Have a small but close group of friends – preferring to get to know a few people really well
Feel most comfortable doing things alone and prefer doing things that they can do alone
Often likes the idea of things better than the actual thing
Finds spending time in large crowds or groups to be exhausting
In many classrooms, a large portion of the school day is centered on group activities. To provide a balance that suits both extroverted and introverted learners, teachers can coordinate both small group and individual activities.
Also important to note: teachers should exercise patience, especially when it comes to introverted students. If they are called upon in class to answer a problem, it may take them a bit longer as they are probably carefully assessing and evaluating their response. Giving them the appropriate time to think quietly will help encourage the student’s logical learning style. Extreme introverts may benefit from help during sessions with a school counselor. As part of the Master’s in School Counseling program curriculum, strategies are taught to help students with different learning styles succeed in the classroom.
3 —What is independent study? Independent study is a form of education offered by many high schools, colleges, and other educational institutions.[1] It is sometimes referred to as directed study, and is an educational activity undertaken by an individual with little to no supervision.[2] Typically a student and professor or teacher agree upon a topic for the student to research with guidance from the instructor for an agreed upon amount of credits.[3] Independent studies provide a way for well-motivated students to pursue a topic of interest that does not necessarily fit into a traditional academic curriculum.[4] They are a way for students to learn specialized material or gain research experience.
Independent studies provide students opportunities to explore their interests deeper and make important decisions about how and where they will direct their talents in the future.[6] Another way to understand independent study is to understand learning from a distance. Learning from a distance is a theory in which the student is at a physical or a mental distance from his or her teacher. The student and the teacher are connected by something such as a worksheet, an essay, or through a website on the internet.