LCE is not just a set of teaching approaches. Research and practice over recent years (Schweisfurth, 2013; O’Sullivan, 2004; Vavrus, 2009, 2011) has shown that it is better conceptualised as a set of attitudes and values towards classroom relationships, learning and teaching.
But attitudes and values are never clear-cut. One way to think about learner-centredness is as being between two extremes.
Teacher in classroom in Zambia
Activity 1.2: How learner-centred are you? (Part 1)Being learner-centred is about moving further towards the right in the graphic below. Classroom relationships (Authoritarian: a teacher who does not listen to learners, makes a plan and does not adapt it to what their learners need. Democratic: a teacher who includes all learners in the lesson.) LearningIntelligence is fixed at birth All learners can learn with the right support Teaching Think about your own classroom. Where do you place yourself on the line for
classroom relationships, learning and teaching? What would you need to do to
move further to the right? |
A ‘democratic’ teacher listens to their learners and takes account of their interests, opinions and experience. They are likely to negotiate appropriate ways to behave by, for example, getting the class to agree a set of classroom rules.
In order to help all learners to learn, teachers need to know their learners as well as they can. In a large class this is challenging, but by using the approaches in these training resources, over time you will come to know your learners better – even in a large class. Teachers in Zambia told us that when they used more pair work and thought more carefully about their questioning, the ‘shy’ and ‘slow’ learners often surprised them.
A teacher who acts as a facilitator of learning recognises that the learners will bring talents and experiences of their own to the classroom. The teacher knows the curriculum but can also learn a great deal from their students.
A learner-centred teacher:
The sort of activities being advocated in these resources will help you to understand how these attitudes and values can make classrooms more engaging and learning more effective.
Activity 1.3: How learner centred is this teacher?Watch the video below. To what extent does the teacher meet the criteria above? Is there anything he could have done better? Think about a lesson you taught last week. To what extent did it meet the criteria above. Be honest. It does not matter if you feel you could have done better – the purpose of this enhanced SPRINT programme is to help you become more learner centred. If you think you have met all or most of the criteria this means that you realise the importance of putting your learners at the centre of your teaching, but do continue to read on as you will find ideas in these resources that will help you try out new activities or approaches in your lessons. |