EDT 2131/3131/5131

Lecture 7
Student Centered Methods
Reminders
1. Assessment Update
⮚Task 1 marking
⮚Task 2 due this week ending 5/5/23 (Fri)
(Lp/notes/critique)
⮚Task 3 test (exam week 1)
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lecture students can: 1.
Differentiate “student-centred and teacher
centred methods of teaching.
2. Discuss characteristics of “student-centred &
teacher-centred methods of teaching in the
teaching and learning process.
Introduction
There are different approaches to teaching. ⮚
Teacher-centred (TC), teacher-student centred (TSC) &
student-centred (SC) methods.
⚫ TC - teachers dominate the learning/teaching
process. ⚫ TSC - balance between teacher & student. ⚫
SC - students are responsible for most of the learning.
Teacher Centred & Student Centred
Methods: From teaching to learning
⚫ An effective teacher is someone who helps students
learn (not only facts to pass tests/exams, but also
helping them to develop skills, attitudes & values
that are important for life beyond school).
⚫ The traditional view of the teacher is that the
teacher is a giver of information.
⚫ There is an assumption that if the teacher has
 taught, the students have learnt which is not the
case!
cont…
In the past, teachers often considered they had
taught well if;
⚫ they covered a lot of information in the lesson &
concluded their lesson on time. But this is of little
value unless the students can demonstrate that
they have understood & can use the information
given.
⚫ students are quiet & look attentive. But their
minds may be on something else.
⚫ students score well in a test. But if they have learnt
 by rote (drills, memorising and chanting) they might
be able to answer simple recall questions but cannot
answer questions that require thinking.
cont…
⚫ In traditional teacher centred classrooms the
teacher is most important and the emphasis is on
what the teacher is teaching.
⚫ The new curriculum (OBE/SBE) puts an emphasis
on student centred classrooms and student
learning - not just what is learnt, but how it is
learnt (the learning process).
⚫ As a teacher, you will need not only to be clear
about the new knowledge that you want to teach,
 but also the methods that you will use to help
students learn that knowledge and be able to use it
effectively.
cont…
⚫ Effective teachers will use both teacher centred
& student centred methods. It will depend on the;
⮚ students
⮚ subject
⮚ topic
⮚ learning environment
⮚ resources available
⚫ Characteristics of a Teacher Centred and
a Student Centred Classroom
TEACHER CENTRED STUDENT CENTRED THE TEACHER THE
TEACHER
Is the provider of knowledge, giving the Recognises that students come with their
students the information that the syllabus own knowledge and past experience. Builds
requires. Takes little account of students’ on the knowledge students already have.
previous knowledge or experience. Recognises that students are individuals with
Teaching is aimed at the 'average' student different levels of ability and pace of working.
and everyone is expected to progress at the Focus is not just on what is taught, but how
same rate. effective learning takes place.
Uses a range of different teaching methods
Teaching is directive; students wait to be told to help students learn. Student – teacher and
what they need to know and what they have student – student interaction is encouraged.
to do. Develops skills, attitudes and values as well
as knowledge.
Assessment is continuous, with a focus on
Assessment is usually by traditional tests understanding and assessment for learning
and exams. The emphasis is on recalling by helping students meet learning outcomes.
facts.
THE STUDENT THE STUDENT
Expects to be given information and told Is an active participant in the lesson and
what to do by the teacher. seeker of knowledge.

Is a passive receiver of information. Develops understanding through talking, listening,

reading, writing and reflecting.
Reconstructs knowledge and information Processes information through discussion
without necessarily understanding it. and the use of learning resources.
 THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Students usually sit in rows. Ideally, seating should be flexible to allow students to work
individually or in different
groups.
Students usually work individually. Students work individually or in groups.
Lectures and work from texts or worksheets Students’ active participation is dominant.
is dominant.

What does the Teacher do from Teaching to

Learning?
⚫ The table above outlines some of the
differences between TC & SC classrooms.
⚫ Teachers & students have different roles in each case.
⚫ As the emphasis changes from teaching to learning,
so the roles of teachers & students also change. ⚫
Most good lessons will use a range of different methods
& activities for students to help them achieve the LO.
The teacher:
⚫ decides the LO for the lesson
⚫ prepares materials & activities before the lesson to
help students achieve the LO
⚫ during the lesson, helps students to access &
use information
⚫ evaluates students’ work to see if LO have been
achieved ⚫ gives positive feedback to the student
⚫ reflects on the lesson & uses this to help
prepare subsequent lessons
In SC lessons, where students are engaged in activities, the
teacher changes from a giver of information to a
facilitator of learning.
Teacher as Facilitator
⚫ The main difference between the traditional role of
a teacher & the concept of ‘teacher as facilitator’
is a change from giving students information to
helping students acquire knowledge & develop
skills.
⚫ The student has to change too, from being a passive
receiver of information to being an active participant,
constructing knowledge for him or herself.
⚫ The process of acquiring knowledge is as important
as the knowledge itself & the process enables the
student to develop some of the skills, attitudes &
values that are an important part of the curriculum.
Cont…
⚫ What does the ‘teacher as facilitator’ do during
the lesson? Some teachers, with a well organised
class & well planned lesson, feel redundant after
they have started the students working, but they
have an important role to play during the lesson.
⚫ What is that role?
Supervision
When the teacher is freed from delivering information s/he
can move around the classroom supervising by;
⚫ checking on what students are doing
⚫ helping students who are having difficulty with the
task ⚫ asking questions to check understanding
⚫ asking ‘HO’ questions to those students who are working
quickly ⚫ giving prompt questions to students to extend thinking
⚫ ensuring that students are working effectively
⚫ providing equal opportunities for all students to learn ⚫
in group work, ensuring that all members of the group are
participating actively
⚫ ensuring that the classroom is well managed & well
disciplined All of these things help to create an effective climate
for learning where students feel valued, supported & motivated
to learn.

Conclusion
⚫ All over the world there has been a change in
emphasis from what teachers teach to what students
learn. ⚫ In practice, this means there has been a shift
from teacher centred to more student centred methods
in educational institutions.
⚫ As the teacher uses more student centred
methods, they will spend more time facilitating
learning and less time giving information.
⚫ Many schools are now being influenced by
SC education.
⚫ It is believed that students should be responsible
for their own learning &
⚫ teachers should facilitate that process.
Tutorial Questions
1. Differenciate “student-centred and teacher-centred
methods of teaching.
2. List some characteristics of “student-centred and
teacher-centred methods of teaching.
The End
Thank you
jkarwage