When teachers and students nationwide join forces to develop self-study skills
Self-study is not only a requirement in the competency framework of the 2018 General Education Program but also a key to helping students actively absorb knowledge and explore their passions. However, for this skill to be truly effective, the support of teachers plays an essential role.
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From guiding learning methods to using online platforms like Khan Academy, teachers are gradually helping students overcome difficulties, fill knowledge gaps, and confidently take charge of their learning. Real-life stories from schools across Vietnam demonstrate that when teachers and students work together, building self-study skills is no longer a challenge but an opportunity for students to affirm and develop themselves.
Teachers as “Guides” on the self-study journey
Self-study does not mean students must figure everything out independently without teachers' support. On the contrary, proper teacher guidance acts as a “guide,” helping students clearly define their learning goals and effective approaches. Ms. Bui Thi Ha, a Mien Doi Primary & Secondary School (Hoa Binh Province) teacher, shared: “Since being guided to access the Khan Academy platform, students are no longer shy or passive as before. They learn faster and confidently take control of their studies.”
These words reflect the student's progress and the teachers' crucial role in guiding students to self-study effectively. At Dong Ha High School (Quang Tri Province), Mr. Tran Huu Hung has utilized Khan Academy as a review tool to help students consolidate their Math knowledge at home. This helps them fill knowledge gaps and develop self-study skills - essential for success in the modern age. In Thai Binh Province, first-grader Bui Nhat Minh from Thai Giang Primary & Secondary School shared his experience: “At first, because I’m a newbie to Khan Academy, I found the platform difficult to use. But thanks to my teacher’s detailed instructions, I can now study independently without adult support!” Ha Thi Thanh Huyen, an eighth-grader at Duc Ninh Secondary School (Tuyen Quang Province), is a diligent student who practices Math at Khan Academy daily. She said: “What I like most about Khan is the step-by-step hints that show me where I went wrong. Especially when I make mistakes, the platform doesn’t give the correct answer immediately but instead guides me to help me try again until I get it right. This way, I can practice types of problems I’m not confident in and review my knowledge beyond school hours.”
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| Teachers accompany students in building self-study skills in the digital age. |
According to Mr. Do Ngoc Minh, co-founder of the Khan Academy Vietnam and Director of the Vietnam Open Educational Resources (VOER), combining teacher guidance and online learning platforms helps students self-study more effectively. For instance, teachers can ask students to preview lessons on Khan Academy, complete exercises, and check results independently. As a result, teachers can quickly grasp each student’s learning status and provide timely support. This is indeed a positive shift in modern teaching and learning methods.
Self-study: an opportunity to explore and nurture passions
Self-study helps students grasp classroom knowledge and opens up opportunities for them to explore passions and build self-confidence. Besides reviewing Math, Cao Gia Khang, a fifth-grader at Tran Quoc Tuan Primary School (Binh Duong Province), also uses Khan Academy to learn additional courses like “Internet Safety” and programming. For Khang, self-study is an opportunity to explore new knowledge and thereby identify his passions. Le Thanh Giang, a seventh-grader at Van Quan Secondary School (Hanoi), is similarly nurturing her dreams. With programming courses at Khan Academy, Giang has completed many projects—from creating colourful paintings to simple games. Each small project that comes to life is a solid step forward, motivating Giang to go further on the programming path.
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| Self-study provides opportunities for students to discover and nurture their passions |
For Nguyen Tram Anh, a twelfth-grader majoring in Math at the High School for the Gifted (Ho Chi Minh City), self-study has brought well-deserved recognition for her efforts. Aiming for a high SAT score, Tram Anh self-studied and impressively achieved 1520 on the Digital SAT, thanks to Khan Academy. “I feel more confident in myself. Just so I realize that I can self-study,” Tram Anh shared. The self-study journey is not easy, but her persistent efforts have yielded well-deserved “sweet fruits,” not only in scores but also in belief in her capabilities.
Self-study is not a destination but a long journey—a journey of lifelong learning. And on that journey, the support of teachers is always needed to help students access reliable tools and find suitable methods. When students learn to self-study correctly, they not only master knowledge but also possess the competence and confidence to “think, speak, act, and take responsibility.” As General Secretary To Lam shared, this is the foundation for the next generation to become useful members of society, willing to sacrifice for the common good and constantly improve themselves.
In the digital transformation era and educational innovation, encouraging students to develop self-study skills is a strategic and essential step. With teachers' support and technology assistance - including online learning platforms like Khan Academy—students will learn to know and do, live, and succeed.
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