STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING AND TECHNOLOGY

Tech 507Nicole Cureton

What is Teacher-Centered Learning?

Teacher-Centered Learning is part of the traditional teaching methodology.

This is the way many of us were taught when we were in school.

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Traditional Teaching Approach

Key characteristics of the traditional teaching methodology:

• Teacher-centered• Information transfer• Reliance upon textbooks• Cognitively passive

students• Little room for creative

thinking• Little consideration for

individual differences• Little room for expression

of personal opinions

Some results of traditional and teacher-centered approach:Taught material may

be quickly and easily forgotten

Students do not transfer their knowledge to real life

Students may not sufficiently acquire targeted skills

What can we do about the problem?

Let’s try a new approach, one which takes the focus away from the teacher and places it more onto the student!

Student-Centered Learning

Characteristics of Student-Centered Learning:• Students play more active

role in their own learning

• Students take on more responsibility independently

• Students are more likely to acquire life-long learning skills

• Students learn the skills of self-evaluation

• Students learn to work cooperatively with others

• Students learn to express their personal opinions and feelings

Technology is our friend!

Technology allows us to provide a more personalized learning environment for each student

The use of technology makes learning active

Technology allows us to provide more opportunities for individual learning

Imagine the Possibilities!Suppose your class is learning about map

skills and distances. In the past, many of us have had students read the information, complete a few worksheets, and then take a multiple choice quiz.

But imagine the level of student engagement when students learn these concepts and skills with an online map program! They could plot their own points, maneuver and manipulate paths and journeys across the map, and discover ways to track time and distance!

In your classroom, don’t forget to abide by copyright and fair use regulations!Students are allowed to use copyrighted materials for

their school assignments. However, they may NOT post these materials in public forums or distribute the materials to others to use.

Teachers may use copyrighted materials, in most cases, without permission provided that the material is used for the instruction of students and provided that this usage is not causing the creator to lose income.

When in doubt, ASK PERMISSION and teach students to do the same!!!!

Student-Centered Learning Empowers Students!• Students play more active

role in their own learning

• Students take on more responsibility independently

• Students are more likely to acquire life-long learning skills

• Students learn the skills of self-evaluation

• Students learn to work cooperatively with others

• Students learn to express their personal opinions and feelings

Turn & Talk!

Is your classroom more teacher-centered or student-centered? How could you make it more student-centered? How could you use technology to enhance the student-centered learning environment?

References: Ying-Shao H., (2008). Learning about seasons in a technologically

enhanced environment: The impact of teacher-guided and student-centered instructional approaches on the process of students’ conceptual change. Wiley Interscience, August 2007, 320-344. Cubukcu, Z. (2008). Preferences on internet based learning

environments in student-centered education. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 9, 154-175. Demski, J. (2012). This time it’s personal. T.H.E Journal, January

2012, 32-36.