In student-centered methods, teachers act as facilitators so that students discover knowledge by themselves. Izumi and Coburn make a case that teacher-centered methods work best. Among the studies they cite is a collaboration between Jere Brophy from Michigan State University and Thomas Good from the University of Missouri. But in California, Izumi and Coburn found that schools of education, in particular at California State University, favor the student-centered method of instruction for their teaching candidates. This is based on the premise that students construct their own knowledge rather than having that knowledge imparted to them by teachers.
Children can only learn and understand if they discover information for themselves.
Teachers are to facilitate this discovery process. Rather than simply digest facts, students must actively apply knowledge, solve problems, and develop conceptual understanding. One example, the top-ranked math curriculum in Singapore requires that students memorize number facts in addition, multiplication, and the like. Teachers are required to correct immediately students' wrong answers and to teach, lead and guide their students. I would like to hear from teachers about which method they think produces the best results.