Parico, Riether L.

BSED – English 3B

Answer the following questions:

1. Identify the various ways of organizing a learner-centered classroom.

To set things far from a traditional classroom setup that is highly teacher-centered, it is

necessary for the curriculum and to the teachers especially, to build a learning environment that

addresses the unique needs of learners and gives them the opportunities to share, learn and grow

with a fair share of power and responsibility between them and their instructors. One way to

organize this classroom is to start the semester with a very light atmosphere in which learners

feel comfortable enough to express themselves and open up their ideas. By simply asking each

student to introduce themselves and talk about the things that interest them, an instructor would

already start to build a rapport in the class that is necessary in a learner-centered classroom. After

doing so, the positive atmosphere can be further sustained with a clear communication between

the instructor and the rest of the class. The instructor should not only give brief introduction to

the lessons they’ll be tackling but the house rules must also be discussed together with the

learners. Putting the students as the center of a classroom would mean paying attention to their

needs and on what they have to say. It is important for a facilitator to be approachable and

considerate in a way that he or she will give the students power to take part in their own learning.

Additionally, it is important to keep track with each learner’s progress in the class. From their

specific learning styles, weaknesses, strengths, potentials ad up to their needs, everything must

be given attention. In order to do this, an instructor may let the students fill up a sheet that
contains their own profile which is kept securely and privately by the instructor. To also get to

know them better, some activities should also be incorporated with the students’ own

understandings and experiences through the form of reflections and essays.

2. Give some classroom procedures and routines that promote discipline, fairness, respect

and care among learners’ and at the same time encourage learning.

Starting off each session with some exchanges of warm greetings between one another would

be a good routine to develop throughout the entire school year. A simple “good morning!” given

to one another would help to build comfort not only between the learners but as well as to their

instructor. Although it may be traditional in a way, giving praises and recognition to students that

show participation, kindness and respect in the class would really help. With this, students can be

a model for one another in which they develop positive attitudes together. For instance,

whenever a student answers a question, the instructor must give appreciation by giving him or

her a round of applause to encourage further participation in class discussions. Most importantly,

of course, is the consistency and transparency of the teacher as a role model and instructor of the

leaners. A teacher must also practice and live by the values he or she wants his or her learners to

have. It is not something that should only be applied during the first few weeks of classes or the

first semester. It must be something that is put into work in the entire class year.

3. Explain the significance of the physical structure of the classroom for active engagement

of learners’, individually or in groups, in exploration, discovery, hands-on and self-

learning activities.
 The overall arrangement, design and layout of a classroom plays a huge role in ensuring a

maximized and effective learning opportunities to every learner. First and foremost, many

researchers would suggest that students should have a clear view of the teacher and vice

versa, at all times. It is hard to say otherwise since this is likely to be true. If some students

are barely hearing their teacher clearly, they would have trouble to catch up with what is

being discussed. Worse, they are prone to distractions and are less likely to participate less in

the class for they become less interested with the lessons compared to the rest of the class

who happens to have a clearer and better access to the teacher’s discussion. When the

classroom’s physical structure isn’t well-thought, it will be hard for the teacher to pay

attention and interact with all the students without leaving anyone behind. When students feel

they are disregarded, they are less likely to participate and are discourage for further

involvement in the class. On the other hand, a well-designed physical structure would allow

the teacher to see all of his or her students that helps him or her to facilitate the entire class in

the best way possible. In return, this would help students to feel more involved and belonged

which leads to further participation, exploration and learning. Additionally, the appropriate

distance between each student’s seats plays a role on giving opportunities for them to interact

better and develop social skills. There are some seating arrangements that are necessary for

group works that will allow collaboration and teamwork development and there are also

some that give enough personal space for each learner that are best for self-learning

activities.

4. Describe the roles and responsibilities of the teacher and the learners for a supportive,

inspiring, motivating and productive learner-centered classroom.

 Although a learner-centered classroom is purposely designed to focus mainly on the learners,

it remains a fact that there are still roles that only a teacher can fill. This includes a teacher’s

embodiment of core values and positive attitude towards learning. Being a role model never goes

out of style. Regardless of how independent the learners are, they will always need someone to

support them ad guide them. Hence teachers in a learner-centered classroom take the role of

facilitators who provides opportunities in collaboration, reflection and critical thinking for the

students through the activities, projects and tasks they assign and design to the learners. A

teacher must also ensure the share of power and trust between them and the students for when

there is a share of power between them, a learner-centered classroom can be polished and built

more easily. Moreover, it is also the teacher’s responsibility to see to it that the learning

environment is positive, productive and healthy at the same time. When a teacher isn’t hands-on

with the needs of the students, it is likely to cause the stress level to arise and motivation to

decrease. Hence it is important for a teacher to be responsible even with the smallest details in

their instruction. On the other hand, students must also do their part to make all of this work.

First, they must be open for learning opportunities. It is not enough that the instructor provided

learning opportunities. The participation and willingness of a learner is also a must. When

learners step out of their comfort zones, they allow further growth and development in their own.

With this, they learn more about themselves and become lifelong learners with the help of their

instructors. Moreover, learners should also be a source of support for their fellow learners. By

sharing their ideas with utmost willingness while also listening to what their classmates has to

say, they learn from one another. Such process will truly increase motivation in the class. Hence,

a productive, inspiring and motivating learning environment will be built.