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This article explains the reasons for fostering learner autonomy and variations in autonomous learning situations. It explains ways to implement more autonomous learning, including the use of technology.

In Western society, individuality and creative thinking are valued. For this reason, teachers should strive to facilitate autonomous learning. Healey describes different settings for autonomous learning that differ in sources of structure (teacher and learner) and content (fixed and variable). These elements vary according to learner issues and content issues. The learner issues include motivation, preference for independent learning, knowledge of individual learning style, and understanding of what one needs to learn. The content issues include the need for clear direction in learning goals, a means to clearly articulate what is to be learned, and availability of resources.

Technology can facilitate independent learning in a number of ways. It can provide appropriate levels of instruction, meaningful learning objectives, a variety of teaching methods, and feedback. However, technology may also hinder effective learning if it does not work properly, if the learner is not comfortable with the technology, and if access to hardware and software are not convenient. If these potential obstacles are not a problem, the use of technology is a great advantage in fostering autonomous learning because it allows students to control so many factors inherent in the learning process.

I think this article clearly explains several issues that must be considered in facilitating autonomous learning. I agree with the points it makes, however, in my mind, the biggest factor determining the efficacy of autonomous learning and the use of technology to facilitate it is student motivation. Motivated students will make maximum use of all available resources and will likely be successful because of the effort that they expend in reaching their goals. Autonomous learning is nearly impossible without a desire on the part of the student to learn autonomously. The other points are important, too, but their importance is predicated upon this first condition being met. The use of technology can increase motivation if it makes learning more enjoyable, so initial motivation is not necessarily the only factor to determine outcome, but I think that the issue of motivation should be given more consideration in this discussion.

Software/Website Title: Spanish Grammar Exercises

Website URL: http://www.colby.edu/~bknelson/exercises/

Grade/Age Level: Grade 8 through adult

Language & Content:

What is the intended purpose of the software or website?

The purpose is to teach and provide practice for Spanish grammar (especially verb forms), culture, and listening comprehension. The site is most appropriate for intermediate to advanced Spanish language learners and heritage students.

What is the content of the software or website and how is it presented?

The website includes dozens of grammatical and cultural topics. It has exercises with drop-down answer banks or fill-in-the blanks, many of which include listening comprehension portions from video and audio clips. The cultural components include imbedded links to pictures and/or short descriptions for the vocabulary within the exercises. The site has study modules, which are based on a cultural topic and include several components, and grammar exercises, which may have several linked exercises included. There are also teacher pages with lesson plans to use portions of the site.

What external documents does the software or website include? Are they effective?

The external documents include poems, photos, audio and video clips (with subtitles), song lyrics, and explanations. Some are effective for any Spanish language learner, but most are effective for students at an intermediate to advanced level. Most sections contain a lot of vocabulary and advanced structures.

In what ways is the software or website interesting to the target audience?

The site is interesting because it has a lot of inbedded links to readings, artwork, photos, audio (including music), and video clips. The information is current and varied, covering many different parts of the Hispanic world.

For what language goal(s) is this software or website useful/effective?

This site is effective for practicing grammatical structures and listening comprehension and for learning about Hispanic culture.

Does this program or website offer practice? Assessment? Feedback? Of what kinds?

This site offers dozens of practice exercises with immediate feedback in the form of displays of correct answers and short explanations for correct and incorrect answers.

Is this software or website easy to use?

This site is very easy to use. You need to have Quicktime Plug-in installed, and then all you need to do is click on the links and follow the written instructions.

What are the strengths of this software or website?

This site is very rich in content. The strengths include the visuals (photos, drawings), the inbedded links that explain vocabulary within the readings and lyrics, the audio and video clips (which are clearly enunciated), the clear instructions, the ease of use and immediate feedback on the exercises, and the current content.

How can this software or website be improved?

I found a few dead links for audio clips for exercises. Other than that, I can’t think of anything to improve. This is a very nice site with a huge amount of content for a free site.