BASILISCO, GENESSA L.

TASK NO.1
Identifying the Pros and Cons in the Adoption/Implementation of Learner-
centered Teaching

With your learning group, fill in the Pros and Cons Grid on the adoption/
implementation of learner-centered teaching based on philosophical perspectives,
teaching principles, and current research.

LEARNER-CENTERED TEACHING
PROS
CONS
1. PERSONALISED LEARNING gives 1. PROBLEM MISCONCEPTION with
learners the opportunity to make less of a focus on lecturing and presenting
personal choices about their own information to the class in a traditional
learning and career pathway. They can way, there is a concern that some
choose the course that fits right to their students may miss important information
distinct learning needs, interests, and or misinterpret the information. This issue
aspirations. may cause some students to fall behind or
develop the wrong knowledge.

2. LEARNING IS SELF-PACED.
Learners can study at their own pace 2. DIFFICULT TO WORK IN TEAMS
and choose the best time to study that students must work in teams and the
is not based on schedules fixed by the complaint being on teams. They complain
training organization, but personally set about being on teams. But most often the
by the learners themselves. In this way, complaints are accompanied by
the learner can enjoy the flexibility to acknowledgments that they understand
learn anywhere, anytime. that they are preparing for the 'real world’.
They appreciate real-world experiences
even when they do not like them. Also,
3. IMPROVES KNOWLEDGE students find it difficult to work in teams
RETENTION and provides real-life because they lack team skills.
scenarios that are relevant today in the
real world. It is difficult to retain the
knowledge of theories and concepts by 3. REQUIRES LONGER TIME it requires
just memorizing them. With real-life a longer time for students, so it is difficult
examples, case studies, role-playing, to achieve curriculum targets.
and a simulated workplace, you learn
better by knowing how concepts and
theories apply at work. 4. STUDENT PREPAREDNESS students
may not be ready to handle this approach
to learning. It may take time for the
4. ENHANCES PROBLEM-SOLVING students to adjust to a new method of
SKILLS Courses that have a good learning which may hinder the learning
number of real-life examples help process.
learners develop problem-solving skills.
Providing them with real-life scenarios
can challenge them to find solutions to 5. COOPERATION AND TEAMWORK
a given problem. When they face although it catered to the student’s
similar problems at work in the future, specific needs, collaboration and
they will have a higher chance of teamwork are still vital parts of the
solving problems and succeeding. learner-centered learning experience. The
skills learned through collaboration and
teamwork are extremely important when
5. ENCOURAGES FURTHER applying this knowledge to the real world.
LEARNING Supplemental resources in However, this method may not be suitable
online courses to help encourage for students who prefer to work
learners to learn outside of the course independently.
content. Adding third-party resources
like videos, case studies, and tutorials
allows learners to study beyond what is
provided and to further the learning
experience.
 PERFORMANCE

TASK NO.2
Writing a Short Speech
Write a short speech expressing your stand on the need to shift from teacher-
centered to learner-centered teaching. Include in your discussion the ways you can
address fears of the shift.

These days, though, we know that learner-centered teaching makes a better and
more effective learning environment for students. Sometimes knowing just how to
change the focus from the teacher to the student is, well, hard. It’s easy to stand up
front and talk for an hour but not as easy to create an environment where your students
take the center stage. Whether you are just moving to a student-centered classroom or
are a pro at stepping back and letting your students take the stage, here are some tips
for making the shift and staying there:

1. Focus
It may seem obvious, but a teacher-centered classroom is focused on the
teacher. He or she stands at the front of the room, and all eyes are on him. A learner-
centered classroom focuses on the student. Teachers move around the classroom and
check in with students’ progress and productivity. Students do more of the talking, and
the class is designed to meet their needs rather than the material the teacher hopes to
cover. Make a point of avoiding traditional lectures. Make sure your students do more
talking than you do each day and let your students know that you are there as a
resource for them.

2. Structure
Classrooms need some type of structure, but a teacher-centered classroom puts
more value on the plan than it does on the participants. There is an agenda or
curriculum, and the material must be covered. Learner-centered classrooms, on the
other hand, are more fluid and flexible. Sometimes the best lesson for the day is the
unplanned lesson but the one that meets the needs of the students. Be flexible in what
you cover in class. Take advantage of bunny trails and teachable moments.

3. Questions and Answers

 In the teacher-centered classroom, the teacher’s goal is to provide answers to his
or her students. Again, it is a matter of the teacher having knowledge that he or she
wants to impart to his students. The learner-centered classroom, however, focuses
more on students asking questions. When students ask questions, they engage with the
material and have a personal investment in the answers that are coming. Students and
their interests influence what material their classes contain. Encourage your students to
ask questions. Pay attention to the questions they ask. Make sure you are meeting the
needs of your students and not just the requirements of your curriculum.

4. Activity
In the teacher-centered classroom, students are passive. They are there to take
in what the teacher presents. They are sponges. In the learner-centered classroom, on
the other hand, students are actively engaged in class. They influence so much of what
happens in class, and they are actively participating. They are not sponges taking in
knowledge but an archaeologist digging for treasures of knowledge. Encourage your
students’ inquisitiveness and curiosity. Show them you value their questions and their
input, and make sure they know that you are there as a resource for them.

Some teachers may have a difficult time walking the narrow line between the
two if they have pressure from the administration but still want to meet the needs of
their students. Ultimately, only you can decide what the best way to run your
classroom is, but the more we can focus on students and their needs the better
language learners they will become.