Paper Topic:

The Four Learner -Centered Environments

Learning Environments

A learning environment refers to the setting developed in a classroom or discussion group principally used to define the focal point of the learning activity and improve the learning process (Keefe , J . and Jenkins , J , 1997 ) The four types of learning environments is principally based on the focus of the learning process namely learner-centered , knowledge-centered , assessment-centered , and community-centered

The learner-centered environment focuses on the students . As such , the teacher must understand where the students are coming from in terms of their expectations , learning styles and culture . These three

factors along with other aspects such as socio-economic standing , psychological circumstances among others influence how the students learning style and needs which will the teacher 's basis for approaching the learning process or teaching style . A teacher can better reach out and effectively impart knowledge to students if he /she knows how to approach the learners

The knowledge-centered environment focuses on the or lesson to be taught . As such , the environment is used for a more comprehensive understanding of the lesson . More than just presenting the lessons , the teacher aims for the students to reach the higher cognitive levels of learning particularly , application in which the student will be able to apply the lesson and evaluation in which the student can be critical about the lesson per se . Because it aims for an in depth understanding of the lessons , the teacher must first of all be an expert , if not very knowledgeable on the subject matter and must have the ability to organize the presentation of the concepts of the lessons

The Assessment-centered environment focuses on the monitoring and discerning the level of the student 's learning of the lessons Assessment refers to the methods in which student progress is monitored towards the achievement of the objectives of a course or lesson as per prescribed standards through tests and recitations . Assessment procedures are actually an integral element in classrooms to ensure that the students understand the lessons , to measure their level of understanding i .e . grades , and to know which lessons need further explanation by the teacher

The Community-centered environment focuses on the context i .e . classroom community in which learning takes place . Learning is not done in a vacuum . It entails the dynamic social support with other learning units i .e . learners and teachers to make it more effective . This type of environment highlights the importance of facilitating intellectual discussion within the class or in the context of the general community to promote learning

Conclusion

Each of the learning environments has its own strengths and advantage that directly enhance the effectiveness of learning . An integration of all these learning environments will create the optimal atmosphere that is most conducive to learning (Sisakhti , R . 1998

References

Keefe , J . and Jenkins , J (1997 . Instruction and the Learning Environment . Eye On Education , Inc

Sisakhti , R (1998 . Effective Learning Environments : Creating a Successful Strategy for Your Organization . American Society for Training and Development...

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