What is Learner-Centered

An emphasis in pedagogy that places the learning experience at the center of instructional processes and goals

An instructional approach which places focus on the manner in which technologies can be used in the promotion of human cognition (Mayer, 2005b).

As proposed by Dr. Maryellen Weimer, the five characteristics of teaching that make it learner-centered are: 1) Directly engaging students in the hard, messy work of learning. 2) Providing explicit skill instruction. 3) Encouraging students to reflect on what they are learning and how they are learning it. 4) Motivating students by giving them some control over learning processes. 5) Encouraging instructor-student and student-student collaboration.

Approach that focuses on the engagement of students with each other, the content, and/or the instructor. Also referred to as student-centered learning , instruction often includes active learning, student choice in assignments or ways of learning, collaboration among peers, etc.

A style of learning where students are asked to focus on both what they are learning and how they are learning.

Places the learner at the center of the learning process. The learner or student is responsible for learning while the tutor or instructor supports facilitation of the learning process.

A perspective that focuses on individual learners and best available knowledge about learning.

Refers to situations where students are seen as the main focus and they are supported to take progressive responsibility for their learning.

Students active involvement in the teaching and learning process.

Environments in which students are encouraged to construct knowledge for themselves.

Learner-centered refers to a specific way of designing classes. It shifts the focus from the teacher to the learner by giving them a major part of the responsibility for their successful learning path. This could be done by offering a variety of learning paths to the students and letting them decide, which one they take. This enables students to choose a better fitting path for themselves while demanding and thus promoting a range of self-learning and -management skills. Used synonymously: student-centered.

Focused on student individuality.

Learner-centered concepts are teaching practices that are premised on recognition of the student/learner as the primary focus of the generation and exploration of knowledge/curriculum. Learner-centric practices value the exploratory and past experiences of the student/learner and the student/learner’s attempts to grapple with the transition of knowledge from unknown to known. In this study the authors understand learner-centred practices to be the preferred method of working with students in an immersive learning environment.

An approach to learning focusing on the student and what he or she learns, which assumes a teacher’s relaxing control of the learner.

Education methodology that shifts the center of the structure from teacher to students.

The perspective that couples a focus on individual learners with a focus on knowledge about learning and how it occurs and about teaching practices that are most effective in promoting motivation, learning, and achievement for all learners.

Making the learner as a center of a classroom setting; the pedagogy should be focused and based on learners’ needs and interests.

Education that focuses on students and their learning, rather than on teachers and their methods. There has been a significant paradigm shift toward learner-centered education in the last decade.

Teaching methods that shift the focus of instruction from the teacher to the student with the aim of developing self-regulated learners who take charge of their own learning.