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 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

would 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 a brief introduction to the lessons they’ll be tackling but the house rules must also be

discussed together with the learners. Both the instructor and learners must come in an agreement.

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 and up to their needs—everything must be given

attention and be prioritized. 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 and practice 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 encouraging the entire class to give him or her a round of applause that also

encourages further participation in class discussions. Most importantly, of course, is the

consistency and transparency of the teacher as a role model and instructor to the learners. A

teacher must 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 happen to have a

clearer and better access to the teacher and the 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 discouraged 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 which leads to further participation, exploration and learning.

Additionally, the appropriate distance between each student’s seats plays a role in giving

opportunities for them to interact better and develop their 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 and guide them. Hence teachers in a learner-centered classroom take

the role of facilitators who provide 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 have to

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

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

References:
https://www.odu.edu/content/dam/odu/col-dept/cdse/docs/1-classroom-environments.pdf