Learner-Centred Approaches
Amrita E-learning Research Lab
Learner-Centred Approaches
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What is learner-centred teaching?
Why do we need learner-centred approaches?
What are the characteristics of learner-centred approaches?
Some learner-centred methods and examples
What is Learner-Centred Teaching?
• Teacher-led pedagogy - ‘lecturing, note-taking, and memorizing
information for later reproduction’
• Learner-centred approach shifts the focus of activity from the
teacher to the learners
 Emphasizes what the learners do as against what the teacher does
• Based on constructivist theories
 Learners are not passive recipients of information; they construct and
reconstruct knowledge in order to learn
Why do we need Learner-Centred Teaching ?
• Research shows that learner-centered methods lead to
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Increased student engagement with the content
Deep learning
Long term retention
Acquisition of critical thinking or creative problem-solving skills
Positive attitude toward the subject being taught
Confidence in knowledge or skills
Characteristics of Learner-Centred Teaching
Five practices that need to change:
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The functions of content
The role of the teacher
The responsibility for learning
The processes and purposes of evaluation
The balance of power
Weimer, M. (2002). Learner-centered teaching. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Methods
• Learner-centred teaching does not employ a single teaching
method.
 Emphasizes a variety of methods that shift the role of the instructors
from givers of information to facilitators of student learning.
Some learner-centred methods
• Active learning
 Students solve problems, answer questions, formulate questions of their
own, discuss, explain, debate, or brainstorm during class
• Cooperative learning
 Students work in teams on problems and projects under conditions that
assure both positive interdependence and individual accountability
• Inductive teaching and learning
 Students are first presented with challenges (questions or problems) and
learn the course material in the context of addressing the challenges.
 Includes inquiry-based learning, case-based instruction, problem-based
learning, project-based learning, discovery learning, and just-in-time
teaching.
Some learner-centred methods
Flipped Classrooms
• Inverts traditional classroom teaching methods
• Delivers instruction outside of class
• Activities, discussions, “homework” in class
Dr. Sugata Mitra’s Hole-in-the-Wall Project
http://www.hole-in-the-wall.com/
Self-Organized Learning Environments (SOLE)
• Children group around Internet-equipped
computers to discuss big questions.
• The teacher merges into the background and
observes as learning happens.
The School in the Cloud
• Cloud-based, scalable approaches to selfdirected learning.
References
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http://www.usciences.edu/teaching/LearnerCentered/implementing%20lct.pdf
http://www.usciences.edu/teaching/Learner-Centered/
http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/StudentCentered.html
http://sc.edu/fye/events/presentation/annual/2012/files/CT-145.pdf
http://www.hole-in-the-wall.com/
www.uncp.edu/tlc/presentations/.../learner-centered_teaching.ppt
http://jittdl.physics.iupui.edu/jitt/
http://download.eiie.org/SiteDirectory/hersc/Documents/2010%20T4SCL%20Stakeholders%20F
orum%20Leuven%20%20An%20Insight%20Into%20Theory%20And%20Practice.pdf
http://www.ted.com/talks/sugata_mitra_build_a_school_in_the_cloud.html