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Nwanganga Ubosi Post 1

• 25 July 2020, 8:00 PM

Learner Centered Education

Learner-centered education is the teaching methods that use interactive approach to engage the learners and develop their abilities. This educational strategy aids learners to build up skills that are relevant to the labour requirements of nowadays.

Studies by Weimer (2002) stated that learner-centered teaching approach places the emphasis on the person who is doing the learning and this strategy of teaching is increasingly being encouraged in education. Future, some of the characteristics of learner-centered teaching is that it focuses on the process of learning that engages the learners, increase their problem solving and thinking abilities, increase their creative abilities as well as encouraging collaboration.

The role of the teacher in the learner-centered model is like that of a farmer or gardener that provides conditions necessary for plants to flourish. In a nut shell the teacher in learner-centered model is there to facilitate learning.

However, this learning approach does not have much discipline as the traditional method and if not properly handled could cause too much independence that can disrupt learning.

In line with the above statement is submission by Weimer (2002) who recognized five key areas for modification in the process of conversion from teacher centered to learner-centered study environment: power balance, the role of content, teachers function, the learning responsibility as well as the purpose and assessment process.


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SILOWA Mumbula Post 2 in reply to 1

• 27 July 2020, 11:38 AM

Learner-centred education promotes collaborative system of education in which the teacher's basic role is to facilitate the learning activities.

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Michele Deane Post 3 in reply to 1

• 27 July 2020, 7:46 PM

I beg to disagree that learner-centred education leads to a lack of discipline in the classroom. In any classroom, it is important that there are ground rules that are clear to everybody as to what is acceptable and not acceptable in terms of attitude, work and behaviour. 

Engaging the pupils in setting the rules for the classroom helps them take responsibility for the learning environment in the classroom. Section 3 of Module 2 of the Life Skills domaine of the TESSA resources provides ideas on how to decide on ground rules with a class.

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Mary Omotayo Post 4 in reply to 1

• 1 August 2020, 7:40 PM

In Learner centred education, the teacher provides the condition for learning and encourage critical thinking , creation and recreation of knowledge 

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Aminu Rufai Post 5 in reply to 1

• 1 August 2020, 9:53 PM

Excellent presentation  in line with the constructivist 

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Sandra Amos Post 6 in reply to 5

• 3 August 2020, 9:26 AM

Yes - good point Aminu. Learner-centred teaching and constructivism go together. 

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Felicia Oamen Post 7 in reply to 1

• 11 August 2020, 12:24 PM

Nwanganga, you are correct. I think a major advantage of learner-centred teaching is the fact that it can actually stimulate the students to be creative, to draw from prior knowledge to negotiate learning of new content. But you are also right, If this approach to teaching is not well managed it can lead to chaos in the classroom.

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Michele Deane Post 8 in reply to 7

• 11 August 2020, 1:52 PM

Kris has highlighted the fact that there is a need for preparation for moving into a new way of working in the classroom or the lecture theatre. 

I really truly feel  it is important to set clear ground rules as to what is acceptable and not acceptable in terms of attitude, work and behaviour. 

Engaging the pupils in setting the rules for the classroom helps them take responsibility for the learning environment in the classroom. Section 3 of Module 2 of the Life Skills domaine of the TESSA resources provides ideas on how to decide on ground rules with a class.


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Chimdiebere Joseph Post 9 in reply to 1

• 7 September 2020, 2:57 AM

Learner- centered education is important because it's about an entirely new way of seeing, thinking about, and acting on education. It focuses on three key aspects about the learner.

First, each learner is seen as being unique in meaningful ways. They have unique backgrounds, circumstances and starting points with unique strengths, challenges, interests and aspirations. All of these unique attributes call for unique responses from their learning system.

Second, each learner is seen as having unbounded potential. Potential that will unfold at it's own pace and in it's own way. Every single learner is a wonder to behold.

And finally, each learner is seen as having an innate desire to learn. The job of the education system is to unleash that desire. 

The learner is at the center of the education process and actively engaged in his /her own learning.

Discussion tags: activity 2.4