Establishing a Learning Contract

Creating Goals and a Schedule for your Duke TIP Learn on Your Own Course

A learning contract helps a student decide what educational goals to achieve and when and how to achieve them. A learning contract is an agreement between the student and the mentor to meet these goals within a specific timeframe. 

Learn on Your Own Courses are designed to allow student and mentor the ability to choose what to learn, when, and at what pace. Therefore establish an agreement that suits your learning style, interests, and schedule as well as the schedule of your mentor.

Every student learns differently. A Learn on Your Own unit might take six to ten weeks to complete with two to five hours invested per week (MathPack: Quest, Discovering King Arthur, Word Power). A Learn on Your Own course (all others) might take twelve to eighteen weeks to complete with two to five hours invested per week. These are rough estimates since each student is unique in pace, learning style, readiness level, and interests.

Here is a suggested Learning Contract Template. Feel free to print and use this form when setting goals and designing a schedule.

If you are seeking course credit within a local school or district, first check with school officials to determine what content and skill goals you must achieve. Visit Seeking Credit for more information.

For more information about Learning Contracts, visit "Learning Contracts" at Best Practices: Instructional Strategies and Techniques.

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