Classroom Set-up/Design Student-centered or Teacher-centered Learning: It is the instructional technique in which students help to decide the content, means, and pace of the learning process that creates a better learning environment in today’s society.  The main focus of reform style learning is to gain conceptual understanding of the content that is taught.  One aspect of reform style learning that takes place in the classroom environment is that of student centered learning.  This type of instruction leads a classroom to be a maze of activity and is known as student centered learning.  Activities in this type of setting involves small groups, working groups, and individuals working on projects or activities simultaneously.  The teacher can be seen moving about the room prompting student thinking, asking provoking questions, and classifying.  Thus, the teacher is a facilitator of learning. On the other end of the learning spectrum is teacher centered learning.  In a nutshell, teacher centered learning involves just direct instruction and does not infer thinking or understanding.  Direct instruction means that the teacher does all the talking (straight lecture style) during the teaching process.  Student cenetered learning also contains direct instruction, it is just a small part of the teaching process.  With direct instruction there is a clear cut  academic focus, little choice of activity for individual students, large group instruction, and teacher domination over curricular and instructional decisions. For the context of this website , we will refer to student centered learning as reform style learning and teacher centered learning as a more traditional style of learning.  The reform style method is also referred to as modern social constructivism at times.  The advantages of constructivism (reform) are much more student friendly than those of the traditional style of learning.  With reform style learning (modern constructivism), learning is dependant on the prior conceptions and knowledge that the learner brings to the class.  Learners (students) must construct their own meaning.  That meaning is then dependent on their shared understanding that they have with their classmates.  Emphasis is placed on “learning how to learn” rather than on accumulating facts. Role of Teacher and Student: Student and teachers alike must change their roles if they wish to implement this new, reform style of teaching and learning.  Students must bring in prior knowledge and beliefs, and be able to construct what they learn and be willing to share those experiences with others.  This sharing of ideas will deepen their knowledge of the subject.  Teachers must act as a facilitator and not an authority figure.  Thus the teacher becomes flexible.  By facilitating, the teacher guides, supports, listens, and asks students open ended questions that allow them to think and arrive at their own beliefs. Back to Home                                               Back to Classroom Environment Home