Who’s in Control? ―Promoting Autonomy in Required Courses―

This paper considers what it means to be an autonomous learner in a required course. During the first month of the course,the curriculum was negotiated with the students,including course goals,student options,choices over content,and assessment schemes. Students subscribe individually to a student newspaper, the Asahi Weekly, which is used as a base textbook and students compile portfolios to assess their learning. The effects of goal-setting are discussed and the implications for student motivation and autonomous learning considered. Key words:自律学習,autonomy,goal-setting,motivation--“I was able to do that I decided it by oneself(sic)and wanted to do it.” Student comment on“My Goal” Introduction:Goal-Setting &‘Autonomy’ Humans are naturally curious about the world around them. We want to control our lives and we strongly dislike being forced to do something. Yet,society is based on rules and we ofte