Teacher-Centered Versus Learner-Centered

Learning
by KATIE VARATTA (HTTP://KNOWLEDGEWORKS.ORG/WORLDOFLEARNING/AUTHOR/VARATTAK/)
(https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2017/04/learner-centered-learning/)

(http://twitter.com/share?text=Teacher-Centered Versus Learner-Centered

Learning&url=http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2017/04/learner-centered-learning/) (mailto:?subject=Teacher-Centered

Versus Learner-Centered Learning&body=Check out this article http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2017/04/learner-centered-

learning/)
What makes an effective learning experience for you? What empowers you to learn? Flexibility, interest in the topic,
understanding the purpose or relevance. The answer to these questions could be any number of things depending on
the preferences of the person. Then, the next question: Do you think your students share your experience?

These might be some of the first questions KnowledgeWorks coaches would ask to get educators to start envisioning
what a learner-centered classroom might look like and why it is needed in personalized learning.

Although a foundational shift from a traditional classroom, a learner-centered approach does not eliminate the
teacher. A learner-centered environment facilitates a more collaborative way for students to learn. The teacher models
instructions and acts as a facilitator, providing feedback and answering questions when needed. It’s the student that
chooses how they want to learn, why they want to learn that way and with who. Students answer each others’
questions and give each other feedback, using the instructor as a resource when needed.

This process is designed so that students can learn how they learn best. Taking into consideration what works for one
may not work for another and at the end of the day it’s not about what was taught but what was learned.

A Look at the Differences Between Teacher-Centered and Learner-Centered Learning

Teacher-Centered Learner-Centered
Focus is on instructor Focus is on both students and instructor
Focus is on language forms and structures (what the instructor Focus is on language use in typical situations (how students will
knows about the language) use the language)
Instructor models; students interact with instructor and one
Instructor talks; students listen
another
Students work in pairs, in groups, or alone depending on the
Students work alone
purpose of the activity
Students talk without constant instructor monitoring; instructor
Instructor monitors and corrects every student utterance
provides feedback/correction when questions arise
Students answer each other’s questions, using instructor as an
Instructor answers students’ questions about language
information resource
Instructor chooses topics Students have some choice of topics
Instructor evaluates student learning Students evaluate their own learning; instructor also evaluates
Classroom is quiet Classroom is often noisy and busy
Source: The National Capitol Language Resource Center (a project of the George Washington University)

How ready are you to personalized learning for every student? Answer 4
questions to find out. (http://www.knowledgeworks.org/plquiz)

Written by: Katie Varatta

(http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/author/varattak/)
Katie Varatta is the Network Manager for KnowledgeWorks.

 Twitter (https://twitter.com/katie_varatta)  Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-varatta-

290a8539)

Like 41 people like this. Sign Up

to see what your friends like.
ed Posts

Talking Competency Education and Personalized Learning on EduTalk Radio

(http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2015/11/competency-education-
personalized-learning-edutalk-radio/)
“Competency based education is really that equity lever that ensures that all of our children…

Competency Education State by State

(http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2014/04/competency-education-
state-by-state/)
Competency education, and the policies supporting its growth in K-12 education, continues to advance in…

New Approaches to Personalized Learning Raise New Questions

(http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2016/04/new-approaches-
personalized-learning/)
KnowledgeWorks’ strategic foresight team was honored to be voted a finalist in The Mind Trust’s…

A look into the classroom: Competency vs. traditional education

(http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2016/10/video-competency-
education/)
Every child is different. Each learner has unique strengths, interests, personality traits and interests. The…

Empowering student learning in Kenowa Hills, Michigan

(http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2016/11/cbe-kenowa-hills-
michigan/)
Kenowa Hills Public Schools in Grand Rapids, Michigan, are ensuring their students are prepared for…

Previous Post
Getting Ohio Students on the Fast Track to College: Early College High School
Versus College Credit Plus
(http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2017/04/early-college-college-credit-
plus/)

Next Post
Designing New Educator Roles in a Re-bundled System: Digital Media Mentor
(http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2017/04/digital-media-mentor/)

Recent Policy Publications

2015 ESEA Competency Recommendations (http://www.knowledgeworks.org/2015-esea-competency-recommendations)

Building Consensus and Momentum: A Policy and Political Landscape for K-12 Competency Education
(http://www.knowledgeworks.org/building-consensus-and-momentum-policy-and-political-landscape-k-12-competency-education)
Capitalizing on Potential: Scaling Early College High Schools (http://www.knowledgeworks.org/capitalizing-potential-scaling-early-
college-high-schools)

Blog Archive
January 2018 (http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2018/01/) (6)

December 2017 (http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2017/12/) (8)

November 2017 (http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2017/11/) (11)

October 2017 (http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2017/10/) (11)

September 2017 (http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2017/09/) (13)

August 2017 (http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2017/08/) (31)

July 2017 (http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2017/07/) (18)

June 2017 (http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2017/06/) (22)

May 2017 (http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2017/05/) (24)

April 2017 (http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2017/04/) (20)

March 2017 (http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2017/03/) (23)

February 2017 (http://knowledgeworks.org/worldoflearning/2017/02/) (22)