Learner-Centered Instruction

What does learner-centered mean to you?

    Some principles: Quote from
http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/content/cntareas/science/sc3learn.htm
To create an effective learning situation in the classroom, Combs (1976) says that three characteristics are needed:

1. The atmosphere should facilitate the exploration of meaning. Learners must feel safe and accepted. They need to understand both the risks and rewards of seeking new knowledge and understanding. The classroom must provide for involvement, interaction, and socialization, along with a business-like approach to getting the job done.
2. Learners must be given frequent opportunities to confront new information and experiences in the search for meaning. However, these opportunities need to be provided in ways that allow students to do more than just receive information. Students must be allowed to confront new challenges using their past experience without the dominance of a teacher/giver of information.
3. New meaning should be acquired through a pr
   ocess of personal discovery. The methods used to encourage such personal discovery must be highly individualized and adapted to the learner's own style and pace for learning.

Cooperative Learning
Discuss:

• Accountability
• Selected groups – not random
• Carefully organized
• Explanation and modeling
• De-briefing and reflection
• Teach needed social skills and language
• Assign roles if appropriate
• Teach cooperation as a learning strategy

Activity: Roundtable with Cooperative Learning

Sit in groups of 4 with 1 piece of paper. Write the name of a cooperative learning structure you know, then pass the paper to the person on your right. Continue until all ideas are written down. You may take a pass if you run out of ideas.

Thematic Unit Workshop

Samples of thematic units (videos)

Students sit in small groups to share where they are in their unit development.

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