Learner-Centered Learning Chapter Two

LEARNER-CENTERED APPROACHES WORK

           After demonstrating the effectiveness of Learner-Centered Approach in the first edition of the book, in this second edition there have been many disciplines in which this approach was put in practice. The lately research was done based on three areas:

Deep and Surface Learning

To be involved in this area the researcher did a study in which students read an extract and they had to remember information about the reading passage. The fact is that if students can convey the meaning of the text, it is called deep learning. The opposite occurs with surface learning, it is when students can just remember basic information of the reading. Considering that Learner-Centered Approach has to focus on deep learning.

Faculty Orientations to Teaching

The results from the studies made by Trigwell (2010) said that “teachers report they have the student as the focus of their activities, where it matters more to them what the student is doing and learning than what the teacher is covering, when the teacher is the one who encourages self-directed learning”. The aim of this procedure is to adopt a deep approach.

Independent, Self-Directed, and Self-Regulated Learners

It refers to the moment in which students transform their mental abilities into academic skills. These features are also called as: autonomous learners, independent learners.

Conclusions by students.

Beside all have said, it is relevant to know what students say about Learner-Centered Approach.  Well, students when they experiment new approaches they feel frustrated but after some experience they get used to it and find new approaches easy and beneficial. 

If you are interested in using this approach in one of your lessons you can find some tips in the following link:

Implementing learning centered approaches in your teaching 

Bibliography:
Weimer, M. (2013). Learner-Centered Teaching Five Key Changes to Practice. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass A Wiley Imprint.

ELT, C. U. (Director). (2012). Jack C. Richards on Learner Centered Teaching [Motion Picture].

Phyllis Blumberg, P. (2014). University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Retrieved April 30, 2015, from University of the Sciences in Philadelphia: https://www.usciences.edu/teaching/Learner-Centered/implementing%20lct.pdf