Comprehension Check

Although teacher-centered and student-centered approaches can be seen as on the same continuum, there are often differences in how they are implemented. Make a list of five clear examples of activities that are teacher-centered and five that address the same learning goals but are more student-centered. If you are working with others, combine all of your lists into one and share with other groups.

Reflective Break

Think of a class of yours. If those students were going to do group activities, would you, as their teacher, initially lean toward a more teacher-centered approach to facilitating the class or would you begin immediately with an approach closer to the student-centered end of the continuum? Please explain.

Sample Response

I almost always start with a more teacher-centered approach. Most of my students are unfamiliar with cooperative learning. Yes, they have done group activities, but in these students’ experiences with group activities, little or nothing was done to promote such cooperative learning principles as positive interdependence and individual accountability. As a result, my students often do not trust that their groupmates will help them should they need help.