Information Technology in Support of Student-Centered Learning

          The idea of student-centered learning is not a recent idea. In fact, as early as the 20th century, educational educators such as John Dewey argued for a highly active and individualized pedagogical methods which place the student at the center of the teaching-learning process.

Student-Centered Learning

          In this Lesson, We shall see how the teacher can expand his option to make himself more effective and relevant in the 21st millennium information age. In particular, the lesson shall respond to question on student- centered learning approaches in the classroom. From the traditional teacher-centered leaning approach, practical helps on designing and adapting student-learning activities shall be examined.
          In addition, suggestions shall be made on how a student-centered classroom (SCL) can be supported by information technology (IT).

The Student-Centered Learning Classroom

          John Dewey has described traditional learning as a process in which the teacher pours information to student learners, much like pouring water from a jug into cups. This is based on the long accepted belief that the teacher must perform his role of teaching known as direct instruction, and it has worked well for obtaining many kinds of learning outcomes.

An example of Direct Instruction; is the general term for the explicit teaching of a skill-set using lectures or demonstrations of the material, rather than exploratory models such as inquiry-based learning.

          The problem with the direct instruction approach to learning however, is the fact that the world’s societies have begun to change. Of course, this change may not be strongly felt in many countries in which the economy no longer depends primarily on the job. The traditional classroom and direct instruction approach to learning conform to this kind of economies.

          In contrast, industrialized societies we find knowledge-based economies in which worker depend on information that can be accessed through information that can be accessed through information and communication technologies (ICTs). Desiring to gain effectiveness, efficiency and economy in administration and instruction, school in these developed economies have also adopted the support of ICTs. Their student have own become active not passive learners, who can interact with other learners, demonstrating independence and self-awareness in the learning process.

Information and communications technology (ICT) is an umbrella term that includes any communication device or application, encompassing: radio, television, cellular phones, computer and network hardware and software, satellite systems and so on, as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as videoconferencing and distance learning.

Generally, the new school classroom environment is characterized by student individually or in groups:

• Performing Computer Word Processing for Text or Graph Presentations

Word processing refers generally to the creation, editing, formatting, storage, and output of both printed and online or electronic documents.

• Preparing Power-Point Presentation

PowerPoint is a complete presentation graphics package. It gives you everything you need to produce a professional-looking presentation.PowerPoint offers word processing, outlining, drawing, graphing, and presentation management tools- all designed to be easy to use and learn.

• Searching for Information on the Internet

Internet users can then use these services to find information on the Internet. When searching for information on the Internet, keep the below things in mind.

• Brainstorming on ideas, problem and project plans as needed, the teacher facilitating instruction, also gives individualized instruction to serve individual needs.

Brainstorming is a group creativity technique by which efforts are made to find a conclusion for a specific problem by gathering a list of ideas spontaneously contributed by its members.

          Observably, there is a departure from traditional worksheet, read-and-answer, drill-and-practice activities. Student also no longer need to mark the tests of peers since he computer has programs for test evaluation and computerized scoring of results.
          Given this new trend in teaching-and-learning, it must be pointed out, however, that traditional classroom activities- especially in less developed countries – will continue to have a strong place in the classroom. In spite of this setback experienced in some countries, the option has now been opened for the modern teacher to shift gears to student-centered learning.

"Give the pupils something to do, not something to learn; and the doing is of such a nature as to demand thinking; learning naturally results."

-John Dewey

For more information about Information Technology in Support of Student-Centered Learning please visit:
http://searchcio.techtarget.com/definition/ICT-information-and-communications-technology-or-technologies
http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/word_processing.aspx
http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000082.htm
http://edglossary.org/direct-instruction/

Please leave any questions or comments below and I will try to answer them as soon as possible.