Exploring Student-Centered Learning

Student Centered Learning

A big part of the ‘new story’ is moving away from the traditional values and beliefs of the education system, and evolving into a more progressive, student-centered, project-based education system. Student centered learning is a holistic, all encompassing learning style where the objectives of education are centered on the student. In this model, students pose their own questions, discover routes to come up with a well-expressed answer and create their own meaning of the lesson within everyday life. This type of education puts the learning of the student on the highest pedestal. This can be seen in elementary school classrooms as the “play-based model” where the lessons follow the interests of the students’. In this type of learning, authentic assessment is used, in which students are given immediate feedback through constant documentation of their learning and progression.

This is also seen in high-school settings when students are challenged to become involved in the “big picture” of the community, applying their topics of focus into a real world context that resonates with them. Through this type of learning, students are able to create their own understanding, while exercising their individual ingenuity. This model presents students with the opportunity to learn the 21^st century skills and designs.

http://www.edchatri.org/edchatri---blog/archives/01-2013

A huge part of our society is the impact of the digital world. Social media has an overwhelming influence on the student community, as a whole, but also on individuals, in a wide array of ways. Through integration of the Internet, teachers are able to broaden the topics to be studies and students are given flexibility with what they choose to study. This opens the doors for cross-subject projects and assignments, where interdisciplinary skills are used and knowledge is engaged. Not only are the students learning a wide range of information, they are becoming digitally literate. Digitally literate students have the capability of discovering and creating in their own individual ways as well as sharing their discoveries with the rest of the world through social networking. I believe when lessons are put into context and are given meaning; real learning is happening.

Some may disagree, but I believe that this approach can be taken for any subject or lesson. Although it may be easier to find opportunities to engage students in the ‘big picture’ with political and environmental issues or social concerns, I don't think it is impossible in other respects. Higher-level thinking of students cannot be expected if the teacher does not expand their teaching lens and explore the possibilities of instructing a lesson. In today’s day and age, with the prospect of using the media, the Internet and an overwhelming amount of online programs, the possibilities are truly endless.

http://www.spacebridges.com/S3-blog-English/bid/64099/S3-kids-Science-can-be-fun-to-learn-and-even-teach

A challenge many individuals, schools, geographical areas, social groups, etc. are faced with is the inability to engage themselves in ‘devices’ because of lack of resources or financial support. This does NOT deem them hopeless in the ‘new story’ of the education system! Although I mentioned earlier that students could be engaged through the use of social networking and discovery via the Internet, this is definitely not the only way to shape project-based, student-centered learning. Discoveries can be made by students in both the classroom setting and the outside world. There are thousands of activities, experiments, and projects that can be completed within the classroom, in the school community and even in the broader society, without the use of ipads, laptops or computers.

The video explores the possibility of discovery through common-place objects and materials. This student-centered program (Center for Educational Improvement) explores the needs of the students and caters to their interests. The leaders of the program do not mention the use of 'devices' in the video or the description. Is this type of learning deemed as part of the "old story"? Many, if not all, would argue that it is not. 

The new story is still being written, and we are the authors.

And that is a wonderful thing.