Learner-Centered Teaching 
By Maryellen Weimer

Thesis: Instructional action should focus on students learning. In order for teaching to more effectively promote learning, instructional practice needs to change in five areas.

Five Key Changes to Practice

1. The Role of the Teacher

Currently: Most instructional practice still features teacher action.

The Change: Instructional action should focus on students learning

Examples: Approaches that overcome the propensity to tell – not “going over” the syllabus, how-to study advice

Implications: Facilitative roles are more difficult and no less central in student learning experiences

2. The Balance of Power

Currently: Faculty make the key decisions about learning for students.

The Change: In ethically responsible ways, faculty share decision-making about learning with students.

Examples: Assignment choices and policy setting

Implication: Teachers control less, but students are involved more.

3. The Function of Content 

Currently: Faculty cover content with the goal of build strong knowledge foundations.
 

The Change: Content should be used to build a knowledge base and to develop learning skills and learner selfawareness.

Examples: Approaches that do not separate learning strategies from content – end of class summaries, exam review sessions

Implication: Teachers cover less, but student learn more.

4. The Responsibility for Learning

5. The Processes and Purposes of Evaluation

Currently: Evaluation activities are grade-oriented and completed exclusively by teachers.

The Change: Evaluation activities should also be used to promote learning and to develop self- and peer assessment skills.

Examples: Ways to use self- and peer assessment - participation

Implication: Accurate self and peer assessment results in fewer arguments over grades