The ability of the learner to take responsibility for his/her own learning and to plan, organise and monitor the learning process independently of the teacher is known as what?

• A. Learner autonomy
• B. Self-regulated learning
• C. Metacognition
• D. Scaffolding

Answer: (A)

Learner autonomy is the capacity to take responsibility for one’s own learning and to plan, organize, and monitor the learning process independently of the teacher. This focuses on the learner owning the goals, selecting strategies and resources, and tracking progress without requiring ongoing guidance. It goes beyond simply applying methods or thinking about one’s thinking; it’s about owning the entire learning journey.

Self-regulated learning involves using cognitive and metacognitive strategies to control learning, which is related but more about the processes used to learn rather than the overall ownership of the learning itself. Metacognition is the awareness and management of one’s thought processes, not necessarily about independence in planning and monitoring. Scaffolding is the supportive help a teacher provides to reach independent learning, not the learner’s own responsibility.