Capter Five Learner Strategies and Learner Focused Teaching

It is widely accepted that neither intrinsic nor extrinsic factors hold a monopoly over learner behavior and performance. Instead it is a mixture of intrinsic and extrinsic elements that shape self-motivated and self-managed learners. Lynne T. Diaz-Rico argues that most teachers would prefer the aforementioned student type, although they would have trouble handing the reins over to their pupils (2008, 107).  There are many things that can go wrong—students won’t ask for help on time, scheduling constraints, pacing (Lizzio and Wilson, 2006, 691)—as self-motivated and self-managed learners are developing the necessary skills and practices to succeed.  However, the benefits of developing the critical thinking skill set that leads to the manipulation of the academic world and self-understanding vastly outweighs the unavoidable obstacles.