Abstract
Unlike Didactic Approaches that dominated both lecture and mediated instruction in the past, systems are emerging that are designed to extend the unique inquiry priorities and needs of learners. Student-centered learning environments (SCLEs) provide complimentary activities that enable individuals to address unique learning interests and needs. They invite learner engagement through relevant problem contexts and the availability of appropriate resources. Technology enables methods through which important thinking processes can be guided. They support inquiry through information seeking, retrieval, and generation. While significant advances have been reported, problems have also surfaced. This paper introduces student-centered learning, provides examples of exemplary post-secondary student-centered learning practices, and identifies problems and issues associated with adopting, adapting, scaling, and advancing student-centered learning in higher education.
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ABOUT THE AUTHORS Michael Hannafin is the Wheatley-Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar in Technology-Enhanced Learning, Professor of Instructional Technology and Director of the Learning and Performance Support Laboratory at the University of Georgia. His research focuses on developing and testing frameworks for the design of technologyenhanced, student-centered learning environments. He earned his doctorate in Educational Technology from Arizona State University.
Susan Land is Assistant Professor of Instructional Systems at The Pennsylvania State University. Previously, she worked as a post-doctoral fellow at University of Georgia’s Learning and Performance Support Laboratory (LPSL) and held a faculty position at the University of Oklahoma. Her research focuses on the process of conceptual development with learner-centered technology environments. She earned her doctorate in Instructional Systems from Florida State University.
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Hannafin, M.J., Land, S.M. Technology and student-centered learning in higher education: Issues and practices. J. Comput. High. Educ. 12, 3–30 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03032712
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03032712