WHAT IS STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING?

Emily RichmondEducation Writers Association

WHILE THE DEFINITION IS EVOLVING, STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING HAS FOUR BASIC TENETS

1. Instruction is personalized;

2. Students advance as they demonstrate competency;

3. There is flexibility in where and when students learn;

4. Student input is a factor in the instructional design.

Sources: Nellie Mae Education Foundation; Students At the Center; The Glossary of Education Reform

“ALL SQUARES ARE RECTANGLES. NOT ALL RECTANGLES ARE SQUARES.”

Student-centered learning and personalized learning are not synonymous

It’s possible for personalized learning to NOT be student-centered.

However, student-centered learning is always personalized

IS THIS STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING?

High school students have the opportunity to access online, competency-based instruction and earn credits toward graduation.

YES!

The principal decides that all students in Classroom A will use an online program to learn Spanish. Students in Classroom B will take online geometry.

NO!

The software program is available only in the on-campus computer lab, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

NO!

FOR MORE ON STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING

Education Writers Association Topics pagewww.ewa.org/topics/student-centered-learning

The Glossary of Education Reformwww.edglossary.org/student-centered-learning/

Nellie Mae Education Foundation www.nmef.org

Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education (SCOPE)www.edpolicy.stanford.edu

Students At the Centerwww.studentsatthecenter.org