Using online independent study projects effectively

What's the idea? Whilst face-to-face teaching has not been possible, schools have taken many different approaches to providing remote learning for pupils – from synchronous or asynchronous lessons, to project-based approaches. One particular approach is the use of independent study projects – typically making use of the internet for research. This kind of project usually requires searching online for information, evaluating and selecting the information that is most useful and reliable, analysing and synthesising it, and presenting it in the required or chosen format (e.g. document, presentation, mindmap). Students can be provided with a list of specific sources of online information, be asked to locate the information themselves or a combination of the two. What does the research say? Independent study projects can be effective if well-designed and supported – but learner guidance is critically important, particularly in relation to increasing the quality of the activity outc