Module 2

Read research or study related to Learner-Centered Psychological Principles (LCP)

PROBLEM

My learning problems started in middle school. When I was in elementary school, my classes were small
and I received a lot of attention from my teachers. I went to middle school, my teachers no longer seemed
concerned for me. My grades went from As to Cs and Ds. My teachers did not notice… they just kept
teaching, (Ann, Age 12)

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Applied Research

Aims at finding a solution for an immediate problem facing a society or an industrial or business
organization.

FINDINGS

THE MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS is a critical turning point in young people’s lives. Early adolescence is an
important time for youth to adjust to a rapidly changing body, learn new cognitive abilities, form positive
social relationships, develop a personal code of ethics and morality (Eccles & Midgley, 1989; Jackson &
Davis 2000). Schools, along with peers and families, play important role in fostering young people’s healthy
development through the adolescent years. In a groundbreaking report, turning points: Preparing American
Youth for the 21st century (Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development, 1989), a group of educators,
researchers, policymakers and media leaders concluded that middle schools are “potentially society’s most
powerful force to recapture millions of youth adrift” (p.32)

CONCLUSIONS/

RECOMMENDATIONS

Much of the research on the middle school transition has focused on negative changes in motivation and
achievement. Findings from research with the LCP’s suggests that the use of learner-centered teaching
practice can help offset some of these negative changes. Specifically, results with the ALCP teacher and
student surveys confirm the positive relations of learner-centered practices to students’ mastery goals,
cognitive engagement, and achievement. Moreover, findings revealed that student’s perceptions of their
learning environment are more predictive of student motivation and learning than were teacher’s self-
reported beliefs and practice. Thus, in keeping with a learner-centered approach, the classroom needs to
be viewed from the student’s perspective.

Title and Source

THEORY INTO PRACTICE, Volume 42, Number 2, spring 2003 Copyright Co 2003 College of Education,
The Ohio State University.
What you can do to advocate the use of 14 Learning-Centered psychological principles

Evaluate

1.The 14 learner-centered principles are categorized into four groups: 1) metacognitive and cognitive
factors, 2) affective and motivational factors, 3) developmental and social factors, and 4) individual
difference factors.

When we apply the learning-centered principles: students should be involved in the way they want to learn.
Students have control of the learning process like how they will learn, what they will learn, and how the
learning will be evaluated. Learning is under the control of the students but with the support and
instructional guidance of a teacher. For continued learning, success teacher should also remember that
every student has individual differences in learning and each one of them has unique backgrounds,
interests, abilities, and experiences are valued, respected, and accommodated; and they should be
considered as a co-creator and partner in the teaching and learning process.

In applying the learner-centered psychological principle students can learn more efficiently and acquired
knowledge more rapidly over time but it requires students to be focused on their goals and must be inclined
in pursuing relevant goals. With the support and instructional guidance from the teachers, it can create a
meaningful student with learning goals consistent with their personal and educational aspirations and
interests. As knowledge widens and deepens through linking new information with their experiences and
their existing knowledge base, teachers can guide students in acquiring and integrating knowledge by using
strategies such as concept mapping and thematic organization or categorizing. In a learner-centered
setting, students will learn how to use strategic thinking in their methodology to learning. They can use
different approaches to help them achieve their goals but a teacher should always help the students in
developing, applying, and evaluating the students’ strategic learning skills. Teachers should know how to
use instructional methods that focus on helping learners develop these higher-order strategies to enhance
learning and personal responsibility for learning. Differences in language, ethnicity, race, beliefs, and
socioeconomic status all influence learning. It affects students’ motivation, orientation toward learning, and
ways of thinking. Thus, making the classroom environment nurturing and make a significant impact on
student learning. And by encouraging and supporting learners’ natural curiosity and motivation, flexible
and insightful thinking, and creativity is developed. Individuals learn best when a material is appropriate to
their developmental level and is presented enjoyably and interestingly. So teachers must be aware of
differences among students with and without emotional, physical, or intellectual disabilities, to enable the
formation of an ideal learning environment. Create social interactions that respect diversity, foster flexible
thinking, and social skills that can enhance learning. This will provide individuals an opportunity for
prospective and reflective thinking that may lead to higher levels of cognitive, social, and moral
development, as well as self-esteem. Ongoing assessment of the learner’s understanding of curricular
material can provide valuable feedback to both learners and teachers about progress towards the learning
goals. Teachers should use different types of assessment to provide a clearer picture of student learning.

5 minute non-stop writing/speech

Learning reminds me of a teacher at the front of the classroom talking and giving us instructions on what
to learn and how to learn. My school days begin and end when the bell ring. For so many years this defined
what I think about school. I come to believe that this the only way the students will learn and with that
belief I have taught that all students learn pretty much the same way. But the world has changed and what
it means to succeed in the future has also changed. It means that our learning model must also change.
There’s a need to rethink our learning, like remodeling our house. We are not just re-painting the walls, we
are also updating the outdated parts and making them modern and efficient. Strengthening what works
and fixing what doesn’t. Our society needs that all kids to excel at high levels and for this to happen we
need to engaged our students in student-centered learning. Incorporating students' skills and interests into
the learning process making the experience more personalized and involving students in his or her future.
Thru the learner-centered principle, learning is personalized. Learning happens when a teacher has a
strong relationship with them and can meet students where there are in their development. Learning is
competency-based. Learning is about information and skills a student has mastered not just by moving
thru the curriculum. Students can proceed at their own pace in every subject enabling the teacher to
respond to individual needs, interests, and challenges. Learning happens anytime and anywhere. Students
often make discoveries about themselves and the world around them when they learn beyond traditional
learning. Students take ownership. Don’t decide for students. Without students, they play a direct role in
their success. Actively engaging in the process to ensure the impact is lasting and meaningful. For a
student learning to work. All 14 principles of students centered learning must work together. It works for
all diversity of students. Our world is changing and with the latest child development research, we know
better than ever before how children learn. The facts are there and they point to the need for a new system
and when the students become empowered and more focused all of us will benefit from a new generation
that is contributing to our community and our world in so many ways.