S5 E14 - It's Time to Say Goodbye to the Independent Research Project

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In this episode of the Structured Literacy podcast, Jocelyn argues for abandoning traditional independent research projects, which she contends harm student learning by asking novices to teach themselves complex topics without adequate support. Drawing on cognitive load theory and David Sousa's research on emotion in learning, she explains how overwhelming assignments trigger fight-flight-freeze responses in students, preventing genuine learning as the brain prioritises emotional threat over cognitive processing. 

Rather than eliminating student choice entirely, Jocelyn proposes alternative approaches that maintain teacher guidance while offering meaningful agency, such as collaborative topic selection where teachers build essential background knowledge before students apply their learning to teacher-supported independent tasks. 

Using examples from persuasive speech writing and humanities projects, she demonstrates how educators can create "win-win" situations that provide appropriate cognitive challenge without throwing students into the "zone of confusion" that leads to disengagement and anxiety. 

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