Children must be encouraged to be independent and to rely on their own thinking, reflection, choices, decisions, and solutions. There are several strategies to prevent discipline problems and promote autonomy. The most appropriate way to foster autonomy is by allowing students to make decisions. They are given time to plan which centers they would like to visit and what activities they would like to participate in, become accountable for what they had planned, and review what was accomplished, how plans may have changed, and preview next day. Learning centers foster autonomy, in that, students are able to make plans and decisions regarding their own learning.
Students participate in a productive, in-depth study of a topic of interest.
The topic has to be meaningful to the student in order for it to be productive. The students are actively involved in planning, researching, and developing the project. They have the opportunity to decide on the topic, what the project might consist of, how to implement the project, and reflection on the project. My role is that of a facilitator by guiding the students, putting forth expectations, facilitating questions, and bringing the students back as a whole. Projects foster autonomy, in that, students are able to make decision and work toward goals in their learning.