Learner-Centered

What is learner centered? The learner-centered approach is to focus first on the needs of

the students. Learner-centered or student-centered classrooms plan and organize instruction

based on the needs of the individual students. Students needs are met differentiating instruction.

Learners work in groups and collaborate with each other for success. Students are able to feel

more in control of their own learning.

According to Joseph Lathan, PhD at the University of San Diego, when students work

alone rather than in small groups, students miss the opportunity to share and collaborate with

others. He says, “students may have less opportunity to develop their communication and crucial

thinking skills.” In learner-centered classrooms, students are part of the planning process, “the

teacher is more of a facilitator as students embrace a more active and collaborative role in their

own learning. (Lathan, Joseph. “Complete Guide to Teacher-Centered vs. Student Centered

Learning.” University of San Diego, https://onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu/faculty/joseph-lathan/)

John McCarthy states that including students in the decision-making processes of the

classroom is necessary to have a student-centered classroom. He says that “Teachers encourage

student-centered learning by allowing students to share in decisions, believing in their capacity to

lead, and remembering how it feels to learn.” I believe that this is true. Sometimes as teachers,

we get in a habit of just planning, but it is important to remember to think back about what it was

like to learn. He also compares teacher training to classroom learning. As adults, we can get up

and leave the training but, students cannot do this, so they tend to zone out in other ways.

Making a classroom environment learner-centered can help prevent students from losing focus

and lead them towards owning their own learning. (McCarthy, John. “Student Centered
Learning- It Starts With The Teacher.” Edutopia, 9 Sept. 2015,

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/student-centered-learning-starts-with-teacher-john-mccarthy).

The article in The Resilient Educator makes some great points comparing teacher

centered vs. student centered learning. Indeed, there are pros and cons to each. Again, sometimes

teachers need to give up the old way of teaching and try something new. Yes, in a teacher

centered classroom, the class is quieter and seems more organized but are students really able to

get the most out of their learning? The Share Team states, “when students work alone, they are

not able to collaborate with other students and their communication skills may suffer.” I agree

whole heartedly! Students need time to collaborate and work together. This builds

communication skills tremendously. I like to call my student/learning centered classroom,

controlled chaos. Students are effectively learning while working in groups and collaborating.

(The Share Team. “Which is Best:Teacher Centered or Student-Centered Education?” The

Resilient Educator, 2 March. 2020,

https://resilienteducator.com/classroom-resources/which-is-best-teacher-centered-or-student-cent

ered-education/).

Overall, teachers have a decision to make. It depends on your class and ability to change,

if you must. A learner centered classroom has proven to be a successful classroom environment,

in my experience. I enjoy watching students collaborate and think problems through together as a

team. Problem solving is a great skill to have, and learner-centered classrooms are building

thinkers!