STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING AND TECHNOLOGY
Tech 507Nicole Cureton
What is Teacher-Centered Learning?
Teacher-Centered Learning is part of the traditional teaching methodology.
This is the way many of us were taught when we were in school.
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Traditional Teaching Approach
Key characteristics of the traditional teaching methodology:
• Teacher-centered• Information transfer• Reliance upon textbooks• Cognitively passive
students• Little room for creative
thinking• Little consideration for
individual differences• Little room for expression
of personal opinions
Some results of traditional and teacher-centered approach:Taught material may
be quickly and easily forgotten
Students do not transfer their knowledge to real life
Students may not sufficiently acquire targeted skills
What can we do about the problem?
Let’s try a new approach, one which takes the focus away from the teacher and places it more onto the student!
Student-Centered Learning
Characteristics of Student-Centered Learning:• Students play more active
role in their own learning
• Students take on more responsibility independently
• Students are more likely to acquire life-long learning skills
• Students learn the skills of self-evaluation
• Students learn to work cooperatively with others
• Students learn to express their personal opinions and feelings
Technology is our friend!
Technology allows us to provide a more personalized learning environment for each student
The use of technology makes learning active
Technology allows us to provide more opportunities for individual learning
Imagine the Possibilities!Suppose your class is learning about map
skills and distances. In the past, many of us have had students read the information, complete a few worksheets, and then take a multiple choice quiz.
But imagine the level of student engagement when students learn these concepts and skills with an online map program! They could plot their own points, maneuver and manipulate paths and journeys across the map, and discover ways to track time and distance!
In your classroom, don’t forget to abide by copyright and fair use regulations!Students are allowed to use copyrighted materials for
their school assignments. However, they may NOT post these materials in public forums or distribute the materials to others to use.
Teachers may use copyrighted materials, in most cases, without permission provided that the material is used for the instruction of students and provided that this usage is not causing the creator to lose income.
When in doubt, ASK PERMISSION and teach students to do the same!!!!
Student-Centered Learning Empowers Students!• Students play more active
role in their own learning
• Students take on more responsibility independently
• Students are more likely to acquire life-long learning skills
• Students learn the skills of self-evaluation
• Students learn to work cooperatively with others
• Students learn to express their personal opinions and feelings
Turn & Talk!
Is your classroom more teacher-centered or student-centered? How could you make it more student-centered? How could you use technology to enhance the student-centered learning environment?
References: Ying-Shao H., (2008). Learning about seasons in a technologically
enhanced environment: The impact of teacher-guided and student-centered instructional approaches on the process of students’ conceptual change. Wiley Interscience, August 2007, 320-344. Cubukcu, Z. (2008). Preferences on internet based learning
environments in student-centered education. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 9, 154-175. Demski, J. (2012). This time it’s personal. T.H.E Journal, January
2012, 32-36.