Learner-Centered Practice

Learner-centred instructors teach students how to learn – explicitly, incrementally, and by integrating it within their courses. This includes teaching them how to think, problem-solve, develop and test hypotheses, and analyze arguments. These are fundamental to mastering content and developing skills, and most don’t pick up these skills automatically (Baldwin & Koh).

With these skills students are better prepared for future courses, employment, and life-long learning.

Questions to Consider:

• What applications in your classes are skill-builders in these areas?

Learner-centred instructors invite students to think about not only what they are learning but how they are learning it. Incorporating reflection, analysis and critique into learning activities and assignments moves students to greater awareness of themselves as learners (Thompson, Licklider & Jungst).

Questions to Consider:

• Do your assessments include opportunities for students to reflect, analyze and critique what they are learning and how they are learning it?

Students are motivated by having some control and decisions over the learning processes. Content, textbooks, and course outcomes are typically not decided by the students; learner-centred instructors provide opportunities for students to make decisions and choices about their learning.

Questions to Consider:

Who makes the decision about ________ ? (instructor? students? together?)

• attendance policy
• due dates for assignments
• rubrics for evaluation of self or peers work
• participation or professionalism marks
• other?

Learner-centred instructors value collaborative learning. Research shows that learning occurs in collaborative environments with students learning from one another, students learning from instructors, instructors learning from students.

Questions to Consider:

• How do you design collaborative activities that maximize the potential for learning in the classroom?