Learner-centered education

Abstract

A new approach in education, termed 'learner-centered', is somewhat akin to the 'user-centered' focus of modern interface design. In this approach, the focus is on needs, skills, and interests of the learner. Learner-centered is often accompanied by a problem-based approach, where the problems are picked to fit the interests and needs of the learners. The focus is on the learner and authentic problems rather than on the structured analysis of the curriculum content. At the heart of the change are new technologies that enable many of the constructive ideas to be carried out. A brief survey of such tools is presented.