A Deep Dive into Student-centered Learning and Competency-based Education Remarks prepared for Education Writer’s Association 67 th Annual Conference May 20, 2014 NATIONAL AND STATE TRENDS IN STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING AND COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION

There have been certain rather well-defined trends in the last quarter- century…. First, the curriculum was subject-matter-centered; then it became teacher- centered; and now it is student-centered. - WJ Haggerty, The School Review 1938

A wide variety of discussion methods is described by the adjectives "student-centered," "nondirective," "group-centered," or “democratic.” In the late 1940s-50s these methods became almost a fad. - WJ McKeachie, American Psychologist 1968

Much has been reported about the durability of teacher-centered instruction, sometimes called "chalk-and-talk" or "frontal teaching," even in the face of determined efforts to move classroom practices toward student-centered approaches. - L Cuban, Educational Researcher 1990

What’s new today? Improved research on learning & motivation New technologies New economic realities Political will & momentum Much more clarity as to what’s meant by “student-centered”

TOWARDS STUDENT-CENTERED APPROACHES FOR THE 21 ST CENTURY 1. Personalized Learning (Next Gen. Learning, Customized learning, tech-enhanced learning) 2. Competency- based Learning (Proficiency- based Learning, Mastery-based Learning) 3.Anytime, Anywhere Learning (Blended learning, Project-based Learning) 4. Student owned learning 6 STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING: 4 TENETS Deeper Learning (21 st C Skills & Dispositions, Common Core PLUS, Metacognitive Learning Skills) Skills, dispositions, and knowledge to succeed in college, career, and civic life Master core academic content Think critically and solve complex problems Work collaboratively Communicate effectively Learn how to learn Develop academic mindsets

WHAT’S IN A NAME And what about… Portfolios (process or final) Exhibitions Internships STEM/STEAM/CTE courses & pathways Advisory/Primary person/Learning coach Individualized (or personal) education plans Universal design for learning 7 1. Personalized Learning (Next Gen. Learning, Customized learning, tech-enhanced learning) 2. Competency- based Learning (Proficiency- based Learning, Mastery-based Learning) 3.Anytime, Anywhere Learning (Blended learning, Project-based Learning) 4. Student owned learning Capstone projects Customized technology Dual-enrollment (or early college) Performance-based assessment

WHAT’S IN A NAME And what about… 1. Personalized Learning (Next Gen. Learning, Customized learning, tech-enhanced learning) 2. Competency- based Learning (Proficiency- based Learning, Mastery-based Learning) 3.Anytime, Anywhere Learning (Blended learning, Project-based Learning) 4. Student owned learning Portfolios (process or final) Exhibitions Internships STEM/STEAM/CTE courses & pathways Advisory/Primary person/Learning coach Individualized (or personal) education plans Universal design for learning 8 Capstone projects Customized technology Dual-enrollment (or early college) Performance-based assessment “TOOLS IN SERVICE OF…” Portfolios (process or capstone) Exhibitions Internships STEM/STEAM/CTE courses & pathways Advisory/Primary person/Learning coach Individualized (or personal) learning plans Universal design for learning Customized-technology Dual-enrollment (or early college) Performance-based assessment

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