Learner-Centered Teaching Mary Antonaros Raymond, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Professional Communication College for Professional Studies, Siena Heights University

What is learner-centered teaching? An approach to teaching that focuses on the student as a learner, rather than the transmission of information Searches for ethically responsible ways to share power with students Focuses on helping students become self-directed learners Is not intended to diminish the importance of the instructional side of the online and/or on-ground classroom experience, but instead instruction is broadened to include other activities that produce desirable learning outcomes Anderson, L., Balsamo, A., Bucher, S., Carnicke, S., Chrystal, S., Fliegel, R., Garner, J., Hollins, E., Lutkehaus, N., Mak, C., Mayer, D., McPherson, T., Schmunk, T., Shuler, C., Walsh, J., Thalmann, W., Bickers, G. (2006). Learner-centered teaching and education at USC: A resource for faculty. Retrieved fromhttp://cet.usc.edu/resources/teaching_learning/docs/LearnerCentered_Resource_final.pdf Blumberg, P. (2008). Developing learner-centered teachers: A practical guide for faculty. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Blumberg, P. (2008). Implementing learner-centered approaches in your teaching [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.usciences.edu/teaching/Learner-Centered/ Weimer, M. (2002). Learner-centered teaching. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass

Why implement learner-centered teaching? Research shows that learner-centered teaching leads to: Increased student engagement with the content Increased student learning and long-term retention Blumberg, P. (2008). Developing learner-centered teachers: A practical guide for faculty. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Blumberg, P. (2008). Implementing learner-centered approaches in your teaching [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.usciences.edu/teaching/Learner-Centered/ Weimer, M. (2002). Learner-centered teaching. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass

Myths about learner-centered teaching It removes the central role of teacher as a prime mover of the educational experience It is essentially a technology-centered initiative leading to increased forms of distributive- and distance-learning, and an abandonment of classroom-based instruction Anderson, L., Balsamo, A., Bucher, S., Carnicke, S., Chrystal, S., Fliegel, R., Garner, J., Hollins, E., Lutkehaus, N., Mak, C., Mayer, D., McPherson, T., Schmunk, T., Shuler, C., Walsh, J., Thalmann, W., Bickers, G. (2006). Learner-centered teaching and education at USC: A resource for faculty. Retrieved fromhttp://cet.usc.edu/resources/teaching_learning/docs/LearnerCentered_Resource_final.pdf

Essential concepts about learner-centered teaching Teacher-centered and learner-centered teaching are not either/or situations, but a series of continua Courses can be at different points along the teacher-learner centered continua Transitioning to learner-centered teaching takes time and effort Easier and more practical to make incremental steps toward learner-centered teaching Blumberg, P. (2008). Developing learner-centered teachers: A practical guide for faculty. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Blumberg, P. (2008). Implementing learner-centered approaches in your teaching [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.usciences.edu/teaching/Learner-Centered/ Weimer, M. (2002). Learner-centered teaching. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

5 practices need to be modified to achieve learner-centered teaching The function of content The role of the teacher The responsibility for learning The processes and purposes of evaluation The balance of power Blumberg, P. (2008). Developing learner-centered teachers: A practical guide for faculty. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Blumberg, P. (2008). Implementing learner-centered approaches in your teaching [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.usciences.edu/teaching/Learner-Centered/ Weimer, M. (2002). Learner-centered teaching. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

The function of content In addition to building a knowledge base, the content should facilitate students to: Practice using inquiry or ways of thinking in the discipline Learn to solve real problems Understand the function of the content and why it is learned Build discipline-specific learning methodologies Build an appreciation for value of content Blumberg, P. (2008). Developing learner-centered teachers: A practical guide for faculty. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Blumberg, P. (2008). Implementing learner-centered approaches in your teaching [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.usciences.edu/teaching/Learner-Centered/ Weimer, M. (2002). Learner-centered teaching. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

The function of content (cont’d) Content can help students develop a way to learn in any discipline Content is framed so that students see how it can be applied in the future Students engage with most of the content to make it their own, thereby making meaning out of the content Blumberg, P. (2008). Developing learner-centered teachers: A practical guide for faculty. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Blumberg, P. (2008). Implementing learner-centered approaches in your teaching [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.usciences.edu/teaching/Learner-Centered/ Weimer, M. (2002). Learner-centered teaching. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

The role of the teacher The teacher creates an environment that: Fosters student learning Accommodates different learning styles Motivates students to accept responsibility for learning Blumberg, P. (2008). Developing learner-centered teachers: A practical guide for faculty. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Blumberg, P. (2008). Implementing learner-centered approaches in your teaching [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.usciences.edu/teaching/Learner-Centered/ Weimer, M. (2002). Learner-centered teaching. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

The role of the teacher (cont’d) Consistently and explicitly aligns objectives, teaching methods, and assessment Utilizes multiple teaching techniques appropriate for student learning goals Designs activities in which students interact with the material, the teacher, and each other Inspires and encourages student ownership of learning Blumberg, P. (2008). Developing learner-centered teachers: A practical guide for faculty. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Blumberg, P. (2008). Implementing learner-centered approaches in your teaching [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.usciences.edu/teaching/Learner-Centered/ Weimer, M. (2002). Learner-centered teaching. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

The responsibility for learning Responsibility is shared between the teacher and the student Students develop learning skills for further learning Students become self-directed lifelong learners Students can and do assess their own learning Students become proficient at self-assessment Students become proficient with all information literacy skills (e.g., accessing and evaluating sources, using information legally) Blumberg, P. (2008). Developing learner-centered teachers: A practical guide for faculty. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Blumberg, P. (2008). Implementing learner-centered approaches in your teaching [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.usciences.edu/teaching/Learner-Centered/ Weimer, M. (2002). Learner-centered teaching. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

The processes and purposes of evaluation Integrated assessment Formative assessment with constructive feedback Peer and self assessment Multiple opportunities to learn and demonstrate mastery Students are encouraged to justify their answers Students and teachers agree on feedback timeframes Authentic assessment is used throughout Blumberg, P. (2008). Developing learner-centered teachers: A practical guide for faculty. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Blumberg, P. (2008). Implementing learner-centered approaches in your teaching [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.usciences.edu/teaching/Learner-Centered/ Weimer, M. (2002). Learner-centered teaching. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

The balance of power Students are encouraged to explore additional content Students are encouraged to express alternative perspectives whenever appropriate Assignments are open-ended Policies and deadlines are negotiated and adhered to Students take advantage of opportunities to learn Blumberg, P. (2008). Developing learner-centered teachers: A practical guide for faculty. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Blumberg, P. (2008). Implementing learner-centered approaches in your teaching [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.usciences.edu/teaching/Learner-Centered/ Weimer, M. (2002). Learner-centered teaching. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

How can I implement learner-centered teaching my classroom? Create rubrics on 5 practice areas 1 rubric for each practice area: The functions of content The role of the teacher The responsibility for learning The processes and purposes of evaluation The balance of power Courses can be at different points on each practice criterion within each rubric Blumberg, P. (2008). Developing learner-centered teachers: A practical guide for faculty. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Blumberg, P. (2008). Implementing learner-centered approaches in your teaching [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.usciences.edu/teaching/Learner-Centered/ Weimer, M. (2002). Learner-centered teaching. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Thank you Anderson, L., Balsamo, A., Bucher, S., Carnicke, S., Chrystal, S., Fliegel, R., Garner, J., Hollins, E., Lutkehaus, N., Mak, C., Mayer, D., McPherson, T., Schmunk, T., Shuler, C., Walsh, J., Thalmann, W., Bickers, G. (2006). Learner-centered teaching and education at USC: A resource for faculty. Retrieved fromhttp://cet.usc.edu/resources/teaching_learning/docs/LearnerCentered_Resource_final.pdf Blumberg, P. (2008). Developing learner-centered teachers: A practical guide for faculty. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Blumberg, P. (2008). Implementing learner-centered approaches in your teaching [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from http://www.usciences.edu/teaching/Learner-Centered/ McCombs, B.L. (2004). What do we know about learners and learning? The learner-centered framework: Bringing the system into balance. Educational Horizons. Weimer, M. (2002). Learner-centered teaching. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass