Learning Centered Statement
- 1. Learning Centered Statement The “learning-centered”environmentisone thatconsists of the absence of anypotential distraction.In orderfor the studenttoachieve academic andhence,hopeful spiritual growth,adelicate interchange betweenteachingandlearningmusttake place.Rigorous teacher–ledstrategiesand instruction, purposefullyplannedinadvance, whereinthe studentisaware of highexpectationof his/her performance coupledwith dedication,focusandstudent-centeredexecutionof learningexperiences musttake place. In the learning-centeredenvironment,itisthe learningthattakescenterstage.Thisiswhyitis imperative thatthe well-beingof the studentsisthe numberone priorityatall times.If there exists a blockthat can take a limitlessnumberof forms,thisbecomesadetrimenttothe potential forthe studenttoseize his/herfullestpotential withinthe realmof education. The educatorshall be sensitive to thisand constantlyaware of where the studentisasrevealedbyconstantcommunicationand continuedandvaryingassessmenttools. Creatingthe learning-centeredenvironmentisthe responsibilityof boththe instructorandthe student. It iscrucial that the instructorprovidesclearlearningtargetsandgoalsat the start of the course, allowingthe studentsaroadmap theycan successfullyfollow fortheirsuccess.Itisalsothe role of the instructorto effectivelychunkanddelivercritical inputexperiencestothe studentssotheymay,inturn, have the confidence andthe necessarypacingtoexecute learning. The daysof copyingoverheadsand drill andkill activitiesare longgone. Today’sclassroom—whetheronsite,oronline,mustconsistof the active collaborationbetweenteacherandstudentaswell asstudentwithstudent.There isnosuchthing as passive learning. Datareflectsthatthe studentmusttake ownershipof conceptsbeingprovidedand finda meaningful connectiontothiscontentsothat it becomespermanentschematawithinthe mind and understandingof the student.Fora worldview createdbythisexperience alongwithpastand future learning-centeredexperiencesisthe vehicle thatdrivesourstudentstowell adjusted, contributingmembersof society. Stephanie JillFoley,M.Ed.