Student Centered Learning Essay

The world we live in is getting busier by the second. What a scary concept to continue your education all the while meeting life’s high demands- rent, utilities, and food. When a person pictures learning, more often than not a classroom will come to mind where the student is learning from the teacher. This is the very essence of formal learning- teacher lectures, student takes notes, and then exams are given. In contrast, informal learning is “where learners are participating in intentional or unintentional experiences outside school settings (Looi page 3, 2nd paragraph).” In this regard, online learning is considered to be an informal learning experience. Informal education is learner driven that can happen relatively anywhere. Kim and Bonk

These students are not bored. They are very curious, eager to learn, and willing to do whatever it takes to learn. The student-centered learning environment enables an educator to deal effectively with all types of students in the same classroom. A student-centered learning environment encourages students to become independent learners and ultimately to be in charge of their own education. There are many different approaches to student centered learning based on the subject being studied. The “Five C Framework allows students to set definite goals in terms of final results and a workable time schedule for learning in the beginning of the term with guidance from the lecturer (Journal of Learning Design).” The 5 Cs of the Five C Framework includes: consistency, collaboration, cognition, conception, and creativity. Each of these allows the student to engage in lectures, group discussion, and collaborative problem solving through the use of critical thinking all the while producing solutions by applying all the concepts learnt. Students are “accustomed to receiving information, completing projects, and routinely taking tests (Student Ownership page 1).” Student centered learning is focused on transitioning students into “active learners who have a role in shaping curriculum (Student Ownership page 1).” It’s about the student taking ownership and

While a shift to student-centered designs is promising for learners, “too many educational institutions still lack serious leadership engagement with the innovative application of digital technologies” (Kukulska, 4). It is “equally important” that schools and universities be held accountable and provide quality online education using student-centered leadership (Harris, 21). Enhancing pedagogy by increasing faculty training and support is a “critical component of quality online education” (Kim, 23). “Professional development and leadership training that takes into account the need for both a technical shift and shift in perception is key to the success of the transition to a new paradigm” (Harris, 21). “As a result, enhancing pedagogy is perhaps the most important factor in navigating the perfect e-storm” (Kim, 26). “Instructors’ abilities to teach online are critical to the quality of online education” (Kim,