This article gives guidance on the questions we can ask ourselves to make sure we are thinking independently while learning. The questions in short are:
- Am I asking questions while I’m reading?
- Am I formulating answers while I’m reading?
- Am I investigating answers to my questions?
- Do I understand the importance of what I’m reading?
- Am I becoming more curious about what I’m studying?
- Can I add something to my teacher’s explanations?
- Can I challenge conventional points of view?
- Can I communicate different points of view?
- Are my communication skills improving?
- Am I becoming more imaginative and creative?
The article suggests that you could try creating your own questions to assess your own independent thinking abilities over time.
We have covered this a little in the study of ‘Into the Wild’, where you were asked to formulate some questions about what you have been reading.
I suggest for every task you do, you ask yourself some questions about it – you may be surprised as to what you learn about yourselves and your learning!