A Call for Change: How Schools and Teachers Can Implement Person-Centered Learning
Despite many reforms and changes, the educational process at schools and universities has not undergone any radical transformation. The axis of education still depends on the teacher, the materials, and the assessment. However, this trinity of hegemony in education seems to be changing for the first time in the history of education. This change is driven by the digital learners” creative use of technology, which enables them to design their learning experiences according to their preferences and choices.
Traditionally, schools and classrooms were the main places where learning took place. Teachers had the role of transmitting knowledge and awarding credentials based on summative assessment. However, technology has changed this scenario. The connected network of knowledge allows learners to create their own knowledge by participating in that network. They are not dependent on teachers or schools anymore. They can access various resources, collaborate with others, and design their own learning. Therefore, schools and teachers need to adapt to this change. Otherwise, they will become irrelevant in the educational industry.
Personalized and distributed learning is a key feature of this change. It means that each student can learn according to their own preferences and abilities. Teachers and schools need to do some specific things to make this happen. For instance, they need to identify the different learning styles and needs of each student and adapt their education to suit them. This way, students can reach their learning goals and outcomes more effectively. Here are some steps that teachers and schools can take to change their teaching practices and learning culture:
1: Collaborate with students and parents to create a personalized learning plan. The plan should outline the student”s learning goals, strengths and areas for improvement, preferred ways of learning and studying, time and resource allocation, and desired forms of evaluation and feedback.
2: Choose a suitable delivery model for the course. For example, schools can use Blended Learning (BL), which combines online and offsite learning through a virtual platform. This approach requires schools and teachers to design a course environment that meets the diverse needs of individual and group learners.
3: Adopt effective Person-Centered tutoring and e-tutoring methods.Use learner centered pedagogies such as project-based and problem-based learning. Flip access to materials online and use face to face classrooms to encourage collaboration and interaction. Instead of just covering the syllabus content, teaching should aim to develop self-regulated skills, enabling students to achieve their learning outcomes independently.
4: Create an active learning environment that fosters deep learning, engagement, and motivation, which are crucial for quality education. Such an environment incorporates active learning methods such as group discussions, debates, hands-on experiments, and real-world problem-solving.
5: Use technology creatively as a means, not an end. Technology should be adapted to different learning styles and paces. Interactive learning tools, educational apps, and formal online platforms should be used to provide personalized learning experiences.
6: Provide continuous feedback and assessment. Grades alone are not enough to foster deep learning, which in fact goes beyond memorizing materials for summative assessments. Formative assessments should be used to evaluate students” performance, and they should receive timely feedback and empathetic support.
A person-centered approach to education can help schools and teachers tailor their instruction to the unique needs and goals of each student. By implementing this approach, they can foster a supportive and engaging learning environment that promotes academic success as well as personal growth. Person-Centered Learning not only improves students” academic performance, but also teaches them valuable life skills and instils a passion for lifelong learning.
