1. Comparison of Learning Paradigms: Learner-Centered vs
Comparison of Learning Paradigms: Learner-Centered vs. Instructor-Centered
George Watson
Institute for Transforming Undergraduate Education
University of Delaware
Workshop at Marymount University
May 9, 2003

2. What I know best I have taught…
…the individuals learning the most in [the teacher-centered classrooms] are the professors. They have reserved for themselves the very conditions that promote learning:
actively seeking new information,
integrating it with what is known,
organizing it in a meaningful way, and
having a chance to explain it to others.
Page 35, Huba and Freed, Learner-Centered Assessment on College Campuses: Shifting the Focus from Teaching to Learning, 2000

3. Comparison of Paradigms
Instructor-Centered
Knowledge is transmitted from professor to student.
Learner-Centered
Students construct knowledge through gathering and synthesizing information and integrating it with the general skills of inquiry, communication, critical thinking, and problem solving.

4. Comparison of Paradigms
Instructor-Centered
Students passively receive information.
Learner-Centered
Students are actively involved.

5. Comparison of Paradigms
Instructor-Centered
Emphasis is on acquisition of knowledge outside the context in which it will be used.
Learner-Centered
Emphasis is on using and communicating knowledge effectively to address enduring and emerging issues and problems in real-life contexts.

6. Comparison of Paradigms
Instructor-Centered
Instructor’s role is to be the primary information giver.
Learner-Centered
Instructor’s role is to coach and facilitate.

7. Comparison of Paradigms
Instructor-Centered
Emphasis is on right answers.
Learner-Centered
Emphasis is on generating better questions and learning from errors.

8. Comparison of Paradigms
Instructor-Centered
Focus is on a single discipline.
Learner-Centered
Approach is compatible with interdisciplinary investigation.

9. Comparison of Paradigms
Instructor-Centered
Culture is competitive and individualistic.
Learner-Centered
Culture is cooperative, collaborative, and supportive.

10. Comparison of Paradigms
Instructor-Centered
Only students are viewed as learners.
Learner-Centered
Instructors and students learn together.

11. Quick Review of Problem-Based Learning

12. What is Problem-Based Learning?
PBL is an instructional method that
challenges students to “learn to learn,”
working cooperatively in groups
to seek solutions to real world problems.
PBL prepares students
to think critically and analytically, and
to find and use appropriate learning resources.

13. What are the Common Features of PBL?
Learning is initiated by a problem.
Problems are based on complex, real-world situations.
All information needed to solve problem is not initially given.
Students identify, find, and use appropriate resources.
Students work in permanent groups.

14. PBL: The Process
Students are presented with a problem. They organize ideas and previous knowledge.
Students pose questions, defining what they know and do not know.
Assign responsibility for questions, discuss resources.
Reconvene, explore newly learned information, refine questions.

15. The Problem-Based Learning Cycle
(Assessment)
Overview
Problem, Project, or Assignment
Mini-lecture
Group Discussion
Whole Class Discussion
Preparation of Group “Product”
Research
Group Discussion

16. Are students getting the right answer?
Outcomes?
Moving away from:
Are students getting the right answer?
Huba and Freed, Learner-Centered Assessment on College Campuses: Shifting the Focus from Teaching to Learning, 2000

17. Outcomes?
Moving to:
Can students demonstrate the qualities that we value in educated persons, the qualities we expect of college graduates?

18. Outcomes?
Moving to:
Can students gather and evaluate new information, think critically, reason effectively, and solve problems?

19. Outcomes?
Moving to:
Can [students] communicate clearly, drawing upon evidence to provide a basis for argumentation?

20. Outcomes?
Moving to:
Do [students’] decisions and judgments reflect understanding of universal truths[/concepts] in the humanities and arts [etc.]?

21. Outcomes?
Moving to:
Can [students] work respectfully and productively with others?

22. Outcomes?
Moving to:
Do [students] have self-regulating qualities like persistence and time management that will help them reach long-term goals?

23. The principal idea behind PBL is?
A. PBL challenges students to learn to learn.
B. Learning is initiated by a problem.
C. Student-centered work in permanent groups.

24. “The principal idea behind PBL is that the starting point for learning should be a problem, a query, or a puzzle that the learner wishes to solve.”
Boud (1985)
Testing, let’s way I want to use speaker notes.

25. The principal idea behind PBL is?
A. PBL challenges students to learn to learn.
B. Learning is initiated by a problem.
C. Student-centered work in permanent groups.
Think/
pair/
share