Lesson 12: Information Technology in Support of the Student-Centered Learning

It may be observed that classrooms are usually arranged with  neat columns and rows of student chairs, while the teacher stands in front of the classroom or sits behind his desk.  This situation is necessitated by the need to maintain classroom discipline, also to allow the teacher to control classroom activities through lecture presentation and teacher-led discussions.

The SCL 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 so that learning can occur.  This learning approach is generally known as direct instruction, and it has worked well for obtaining many kinds of learning outcomes.

The problem with 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 longer depends primarily on the factory workers who do repetitive work without thinking on the job.  The traditional classroom and direct instruction approach to learning conform to this kind of economies.

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

• Performing computer word processing for text or graph presentations.
• Preparing power-point presentation.
• Searching for information on the internet.
• Brainstorming on ideas, problems and projects plans.
• As needed, the teacher facilitating instruction, also giving individualized instruction to serve individual needs.