Learner Centered Approach and it´s principles

## **¿What is Learner Centered Approach?**

Learner Centered Approach focuses on student´s
learning instead of the teacher´s activity. The student is the starting point
for curriculum design. So, he is actively involved in the learning process by establishing learning goals, developing and choosing learning strategies
and evaluating his own progress in which activities are incorporated in
real-world situations. The learning becomes both active and cooperative when
students solve problems,
answers and formulate questions of their own, discuss, explain, debate or
brainstorm, work in teams on problems and projects under conditions that assure
positive interdependence and individual accountability. This teaching method approaches to the constructivism because the students create and link meaning
from new information and experience with the existing knowledge in meaningful ways. Thus this approach benefits students’ acquisition, retention, and
transfer of knowledge, self-awareness, critical thinking, and motivation.

## T**he main role of the teacher in LCI**

Teachers and students are co-participants in the
learning process. Teachers promote intense student engagement with the
curriculum by accommodating different learning styles. He motivates to accept
responsibility for learning and utilizes multiple teaching techniques,
available tools and resources appropriate for student learning goal; for
example, team-based learning, observation, dialogue and reflection, etc. He
designs activities in which students interact with the materials, the teacher,
and the other. Inspires and encourage students’ ownership of learning. Also, he
supports structural guidance to allow students create meaningful, coherent
representation of knowledge and critical thinking. He makes learning more
effective because physical, intellectual, emotional and social scopes are taken
into account. Teachers give frequent feedback to shape and support future
learning**.**

## **Explanation of the main four key principles in student centered learning**

**1.- Learning is personalized.-**The teacher
knows his student´s learning interests, needs and preferences because there is
a strong relationship between the teacher and the student. Both student and
teacher work together to set learning goals for themselves. Also, the teacher helps
students in their development because he knows where they are in their
learning. There is more confidence and engagement and ensure that all students
get the chance to succeed.

**2.- Learning is competency based.- Teacher** identifies specific competences or skills to enable students have a
mastery  at their own pace. They can
perceive their own phase in every subject allowing teacher to respond to individual
needs, interests and challenges. Assessments are designed specifically to
assess the mastery of each competency; thus students receive A degree is
awarded when specific competencies are successfully achieved.

**3.- Learning happens anytime**
in anywhere**.-  It is a common saying that a person never ends** to learn. This principle does not take into account where is the person and how
old is he. Learning always occurs when the person is ready to perceive it. For
example, students today communicate, collaborate,
socialize, work, explore, and learn with personal technologies every day.  Students make discovers about the world and
themselves when they learn beyond the traditional schooldays and outside the
traditional school walls. Learning doesn´t start and stop in the classroom
because there is so much information in every culture.

**4.-Students take ownership.-**  Teachers
give students the opportunity to play more active and real roles in their
education like formative peer assessment and asking students
to Self-assess . They make decisions about learning with students. They
play a direct role in their own success when they are engaged in the process to
ensure the impact is lasting and meaningful. For example, teacher shares
question-generation to develop on students´ critical and reflective thinking
through the questions they ask. Also, students feel comfortable if they give
their opinion in a discussion in which the teacher establishes basic parameters
for it. These four principles must work together.

Extract made by Diana Patiño

1. ↑ http://www.nclrc.org/essentials/goalsmethods/method.htm
https://extension.ucdavis.edu/sites/default/files/Learner%20Centered.pdf
http://www.dreambox.com/blog/personalized-learning-benefit-students
http://www.tonybates.ca/2014/09/15/the-strengths-and-weaknesses-of-competency-based-learning-in-a-digital-age/
http://pdkintl.org/blogs/classroom-tips/help-students-take-ownership-of-the-learning-process/
https://education-2020.wikispaces.com/Anywhere-Anytime
2. ↑ http://www.nclrc.org/essentials/goalsmethods/method.htm
https://extension.ucdavis.edu/sites/default/files/Learner%20Centered.pdf
http://www.dreambox.com/blog/personalized-learning-benefit-students
http://www.tonybates.ca/2014/09/15/the-strengths-and-weaknesses-of-competency-based-learning-in-a-digital-age/
http://pdkintl.org/blogs/classroom-tips/help-students-take-ownership-of-the-learning-process/
https://education-2020.wikispaces.com/Anywhere-Anytime