Information and communication technology (ICT) has the potential to give individuals considerable freedom and choice about where and when they learn. The learning can form part of a structured learning experience or be self-directed. It can be as part of a group interacting through communication technologies or individually locating and judging online information. In this article, the author argues that the realisation of this potential depends on individuals becoming independent learners who are skilled communicators, locators of information, confident users of ICT and self-activating. He suggests that opportunities to develop learning skills be integrated into the programme or into resources for the learners studying independently, and provides a list of some possible activities that could be integrated into learning programmes or resources.