I was surprised to learn the degree in which flexibility plays a role in the development of student autonomy. Partitioning assignments is one such example, where students are tasked to work upon groupings of assignments rather than all the assignments, while still adhering to the principles of the curriculum. For some trades in post-secondary schools this might work better than others, but overall it is a great way in which we as teachers can provide our adult students with levels of autonomy. One thing that I have been using in class to answer the question of security is to provide students with group worksheets that are needed to be solved. These group assignments will often get all my students involved, even the more placid.
