Delphian School Embraces Independent Learning. Should Your School?

Critics say the American education system is slow to innovate. In many cases, they have a point. However, if you know where to look, you’ll find a thriving culture of experimentation and plenty of “alternative” approaches to education that produce impressive outcomes.

One of the most exciting such approaches is student-led learning. In contrast to top-down, instructor-led learning, student-led learning encourages young people to take control of their educational destinies and pursue their own interests with encouragement from their teachers.

It’s an approach popular with independent primary and secondary institutions like Delphian School, located near the small town of Sheridan, Oregon.

At Delphian, “students develop the confidence and knowledge to tackle the most challenging subjects independently,” the school says. “Delphian’s program fosters integrity, leadership, and true enthusiasm for learning in each student.”

If that sounds like an appealing framework for your child, read on. There’s much more to learn about the benefits of student-led learning.

It Encourages Students to Solve Their Own Problems and Think Critically

“One of the most significant advantages of student-led learning is the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills,” researchers at Penn State University say.

Some would argue “encourage” is too mild of a term. They would say it’s more accurate that student-led learning pushes students to solve their own problems. The approach is much more challenging for the student and their instructors when they don’t — and much more rewarding when they do.

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It Exposes Students to Different Learning Strategies

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It Avoids “Teaching to the Test”

g pushes students in another way: outside their comfort zones. It encourages them to respond to new or unfamiliar material by experimenting with different learning strategies. Like the development of strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, this experimentation process makes students better lifelong learners, benefiting them long after they’ve left the classroom.

It Allows Students to Pursue Their Own Interests

By definition, student-led approaches to learning allow students to pursue their own interests in greater depth than instructor-led approaches. Some would say that this discourages the necessary breadth of instruction, but well-designed independent learning curricula can do both at the same time. They support deeper inquiry in topics (and entire subjects) that most interest students while providing a comprehensive program of instruction and preparing students adequately for higher education.

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It Enables “Paced” Learning

Student-led approaches also give students the freedom and flexibility to learn at their own pace and in their own way. The simple fact is, every child gathers, absorbs and recalls information in a slightly different way. Student-led approaches allow for a degree of personalization, even optimization, that can’t be achieved in traditional settings.

For years, some in the education community questioned whether state and federal guidelines place too much emphasis on standardized testing. They argued that “teaching to the test” was not an optimal use of classroom time.

With national testing averages falling an average of 6 points (or about 3%) since 2020, those dissenting voices are growing louder and more numerous. Many, too, are asking whether a student-led approach to learning is preferable to the prevailing testing-based methodology.

Independent schools like Delphian have already asked and answered this question. It seems they were on the right track, if a bit early.

Learn at Your Own Pace

For many parents and guardians, the first encounter with student-led learning is itself a learning experience. If you are accustomed to the “traditional” education model, it can take some time to understand this new approach, let alone grow comfortable with it.

That’s perfectly fine. You don’t want to rush your child into something you aren’t sure about yourself, no matter how enthusiastic they may be. So, take as much time as you need for your own “student-led” learning process, knowing it will give you every confidence in your decision when you’re ready.