What is learner-centered learning?
Students are viewed as unique in meaningful ways. Instruction is designed to meet each student where he or she is. It means knowing that each student has unbound potential and that with the right approach, it can be tapped and brought forth.
While this seems like a natural way to offer instruction, the opposite of this approach is often more typical. Within many modern classrooms, educators are required to follow a curricular schedule, having to teach a certain lesson one day and move onto another lesson the next, regardless of whether students fully comprehend and make meaning out of the content.
“Learner centered” curriculum prioritizes time on task as needed to explore, to wonder, to question and yes, delve deeply. It is less about quantity of material covered and more of a focus on quality of learning and instruction, in connection with a student. The goal is to help a student to think as oneself, generate ideas, gain the courage to speak up, recognizing one’s value as an individual and as part of the whole.
CELC offers a “learning to learn” personal growth-centered approach.