The Development Of Expert Learners In The Classroom

Abstract

The term ‘expert learner’ refers to students who are actively engaged with the materials learned and take responsibility for their own learning. Literature reviews suggested the use of metacognitive approach to help develop students to become expert learners. Research on development of expert learners can be traced from movements that focused on the importance of learning strategies and “learning how to learn” approach. Some researchers combined the role of teachers and students in formulating a framework on how to develop expert learners. This study aimed to identify issues related to the development of expert learners in the classroom. Data were collected from focus group with students and teachers in Malaysia.  Findings were reduced into thematic categories representing students’ and teachers’ perceptions on the issues. Results of the study showed that the use of metacognitive strategies among students is very minimal and many teachers did not aware the benefit of making the learning process visible to students. The implementation of “learning to learn” approach in the teaching and learning process remain one of the key problem need to be address in order to help students learn effectively in the classroom.