Student-Centered Learning Addressing Faculty Questions about Student- centered Learning

What is meant by Student-centered Learning (SCL)? A variety of phrases have been coined to describe a critical shift in mission and purpose of higher education. Barr and Tagg (1995) expressed the change as a move from an ―Instruction Paradigm ‖ in which universities delivered instruction to ―transfer knowledge from faculty to students ‖ to a ―Learning Paradigm ‖ in which universities produce learning through ―student discovery and construction of knowledge. ‖ Huba and Freed (2000) used the phrase ―learning-centered assessment ‖ to emphasize transition in the focus of instruction and assessment from teaching to learning. The following description of student-centered instruction provides another starting point for conversations about student-centered learning: Student-centered instruction [SCI] is an instructional approach in which students influence the content, activities, materials, and pace of learning. This learning model places the student (learner) in the center of the learning process. The instructor provides students with opportunities to learn independently and from one another and coaches them in the skills they need to do so effectively. The SCI approach includes such techniques as substituting active learning experiences for lectures, assigning open-ended problems and problems requiring critical or creative thinking that cannot be solved by following text examples, involving students in simulations and role plays, and using self-paced and/or cooperative (team-based) learning. Properly implemented SCI can lead to increased motivation to learn, greater retention of knowledge, deeper understanding, and more positive attitudes towards the subject being taught (Collins & O'Brien