Teacher-Centered vs Student-Centered Learning

The average classroom in America is almost entirely absent of student-centered learning.

Oftentimes the teacher is talking, students are in a row of chairs facing the teacher, and students are expected to complete different tasks, assignments, and tests their teacher assigns them. This leads many students to checking out, underperforming, and hyper-focusing on testing.

Even though there have been pushes within education to integrate more student-centered practices, schools have been slow to truly become student-centered.

What is the difference between teacher-centered and student-centered learning?

1. Who Does Most of the Talking and Thinking?

• Teacher-Centered: Teachers do nearly all of the talking and thinking.
• Student-Centered: Students do most of the talking and thinking.

2. Who Makes The Instructional Decisions?

• Teacher-Centered: Teachers make every instructional decision.
• Student-Centered: Students are empowered to have say in what, how, and when they learn.

3. Who Sets the Rules?

• Teacher-Centered: Teachers set and enforce rules.
• Student-Centered: Students work with their teacher to create community norms.

4. Who Decides What Students Learn?

• Teacher-Centered: Teachers strictly stick to their curriculum.
• Student-Centered: Students are free to ask questions, follow their curiosities, and learn what they want to learn.

5. Who Does The Thinking?

• Teacher-Centered: Teachers present solutions to problems to their students.
• Student-Centered: Students learn how to solve problems independently and with their peers.

The research is clear: students benefit from student-centered instruction. Students develop more of a growth mindset, become more motivated, and self-reflective. They are prompted to be more self-directed, helping them to take ownership of their learning. It should be no surprise that students enjoy this form of learning over the traditional, teacher-centered methods, and they tend to have more success (like Alex’s story).

Where does your child’s school fall on the spectrum of teacher-centered and student-centered learning? Is your child being empowered to learn what they want to learn?

Unfortunately, many students never get to engaged with student-centered learning.

They are never given the option to direct their own learning, so many students leave school with an aversion to anything that could be labeled “learning.” This is truly a shame.

Here at Strive Learning Solutions, we believed all students deserve a student-centered education, where their learning is highly personalized and relevant to each individual student.

That’s why we specialize in providing fully personalized tutoring services to K-12 students.

Inquire today to empower your child to become a self-directed learner

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between teacher-centered and student-centered learning?
In teacher-centered learning, the teacher makes all decisions about what and how students learn, while students passively receive information. In student-centered learning, students take an active role in their education: asking questions, making choices, and engaging in discussions that connect learning to their interests and goals.

Why is student-centered learning more effective?
Student-centered learning empowers students to take ownership of their education. Research shows that when students have choice, voice, and relevance in what they learn, they are more motivated, confident, and able to apply what they’ve learned in real-world settings.

How can parents encourage student-centered learning at home?
Encourage curiosity by asking open-ended questions, letting your child explore topics that interest them, and involving them in decision-making about how they complete tasks or projects. Building autonomy helps develop lifelong learning habits and self-motivation.

Does Strive Learning Solutions use a student-centered approach in tutoring?
Yes. Strive Learning Solutions specializes in student-centered tutoring across in Denver, Aurora, and Boulder, as well as virtual options for families anywhere. Every tutoring plan is fully personalized to your child’s strengths, needs, and interests, empowering them to become confident, self-directed learners.