Teaching and Learning Resources

The literature suggests that there are two broad orientations in teaching: the teacher centered or content oriented model and the student centered or learning oriented model. The concept of student-centered learning is based on the premise that knowledge is constructed by students while the instructor facilitates and guides the learning process.

Student-centered teaching and learning is tailored to accommodate a student’s learning style, ability, and requirements to help students meet specific learning outcomes. It is an effective approach to learning as it offers students more control over what, how and when to learn. Examples of student-centered learning strategies include role playing, open-ended problem solving, reflective writing activities and cooperative group work. These active forms of learning promote a deeper understanding of the material, higher knowledge retention and an increase in motivation to learn.

The Seven Principles for Good Practice: Enhancing Student Learning  in undergraduate education (Chickering and Gamson, 1987, p. 1) is the result of 50 years of research on the way teachers teach and students.

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Related Resources:

This article from the Department of Psychology, University of Plymouth, UK, expresses students’ views on student-centered learning and its effectiveness.  Higher Education Students’ Attitudes to Student-Centered Learning                                                                                   

 This article from the University of Houston–Clear Lake, USA, presents a theoretically based model to create a student-centered  technology rich learning environment. Student-centered, Technology-rich Learning Environments                                                                                          

The concept of Student-Centered Learning is discussed in the article Student-centered learning: What does it mean for students and lecturers?