The document discusses learner-centered curriculum and contrasts it with teacher-centered approaches. It outlines that learner-centered curriculum focuses on individual growth and development, with the teacher as a facilitator rather than instructor. Key aspects include respecting the child, allowing freedom of action, and recognizing students' unique needs, interests and goals in curriculum design. Assessment is open-ended and meant to involve students examining their own learning rather than focusing on grades. The goal is to empower students to take ownership of their learning process.

1. Learner-Centred Curriculum
Dr.M.Deivam
Assistant Professor
Department of Education
The Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed to be University)
Gandhigram, Dindigul District – 624 302

2. Learner-Centred Curriculum
• One of the major paradigm shifts in the field of
education today is the shift from teacher-centred to
learner-centred education.
• Learners are seen and known as wondrous, curious
individuals with vast capabilities and limitless
potential.
• Katle Martin observes that “When we focus on
learners, connect to their interests, needs, and
goals, we can create experiences that ignite
curiosity, develop passion, and unleash genius.

3. • Nunan D who stated in his famous book “Syllabus
Design” that learner centred approach to
curriculum is an alternative approach which
indicates a closer relationship between curriculum,
planning goals, learning objectives and
implementation of the learner centred approach
• Learner-centred approach is popularised by John
Dewey.
• He describes that the curriculum of the individual
child is related to the role of the school within
society.
• Learner-centred curriculum focuses on the
individuals as well as the individual’s dreams, goals,
and interests.

4. Contd.,
• The foundation stone of a learner-centred curriculum
is individual growth and development.
• The teacher’s role is to facilitate growth by utilizing the
interests and needs of the students as a guiding
measure for meaningful instructions.
• This design aims to customize the curriculum as per
the needs of the student. Its core philosophy is that
each student is unique and there is no standard
curriculum which can fit all of them. Differentiated
instruction plans can be prepared to suit each student
as per their requirement.
• learner-centered curriculum design takes each
individual's needs, interests, and goals into
consideration.

5. • This learner-centred approach is based on
constructivist learning theory that put emphasis on
learner’s role in constructing meaning from new
information and prior experiences.
• In this approach, the focus is on the learner. The aim is
to develop the independence of the learner by making
learner active in his learning path.
• Students choose what they will learn, how they will
learn and how they will assess their own learning.
• Students take a more active role. It calls for students to
be active, responsible participants in their own learning
and with their own pace of learning. Here the teacher
acts as a facilitator of learning for individuals rather
than for the class as a whole.

6. • Learner learns by doing
• Learners are empowered to shape their own
learning from the different opportunities provided
by the teacher.
• The development of self is the ultimate objective of
learning.
• It considers the cognitive, affective and
psychomotor domains to be interconnected and
must be addressed in the curriculum.
• It also focuses on positive self-concept and
development of interpersonal skills.

7. Contd.,
• Hence, learner-centred approach considers the
following aspects
• Respect for the child
• Freedom of action
• Activities divided into units of work
• Recognition of the need for using and exploring
many media for self-discovery and self-direction is
embraced.

8. Weimer defines learner-centred
curriculum by contrasting with
teacher-centred approach through
five key elements

9. The goal of Student Activity
• In teacher directed approach, learners
work to meet the objectives set by the
teacher.
• In contrast, in a learner-centred
approach, students work to provide a
response to a central question.

10. The Role of the Teacher
• In a teacher-centred approach, the teacher sets the
learning objectives, and then plans a set of activities
designed to help learners meet these objectives.
• In contrast, in a learner-centred approach, the
teacher presents the central question and then
works as a facilitator as students determine the
nature of response they will develop, and then
formulate and carry out a process to develop the
response.

11. Learners’ Motivational
Orientation
• Teacher-oriented approaches often depend, at
least, in part on extrinsic motivators, such as
grades, degrees or other rewards to motivate
learners’ motivation to learn.
• In learner-oriented approach, teacher attempts to
present a question that is interesting enough to
motivate students to take ownership of the process
of developing a response. As a result, learners’
actions are driven by the goals they have set for
themselves rather than external rewards promised
by a teacher or an institution.

12. Assessment
• Teachers use objective assessments to determine
grades in a teacher – oriented approach which in
turn are used to motivate students and provide
parents with information about their children’s
progress.
• However, in a learner-centred instruction, the
assessment is open ended that are designated to
involve learners in examining their own learning,
focussing their attention on their learning needs
and changing understanding rather than a grade or
a reward.

13. Learner Interaction
• In a teacher-oriented approach, the interaction is frequently
under teacher control; teacher determines group
membership, the nature of interactions between the
members, and even the role of each member in the group.
Teachers intervene in the group process when there are
difficulties and hold the group accountable for individual
learning.
• Instead in a learner centred approach, which assumes a great
deal of student interaction focuses on collaborative
learning. Collaborative learning emphasises learners self-
governance of their interactions, allowing them to make
decisions about with whom they work and how they work. As
learners negotiate their relationship with each other, they
must articulate their ideas, and engage in a disciplined social
process of inquiry.

14. Advantages
• It recognises the social and cultural context of the
learner
• Learners have the freedom to choose the
curriculum
• Students needs are reflected in the classroom and in
what they study.
• It creates a direct link between class work and the
learner’s needs.
• Learners can easily learn and practice new skills in
day to day activities.

15. Disadvantages
• Learning depends on the teacher’s ability to
provide the necessary resources.
• It requires more skill on the part of the teacher as
well as their time and resources.
• It is often difficult for teachers to make an
acceptable balance among competing needs and
interests of students.
• It is both time consuming and expensive

16. Elements of Learner-centred Approach
• Emphasis
• Focus on the individual
• Personal growth and
development
• Learner’s interest
• Focus on effect

17. Contd.,
• Teaching
• Learning environment
• Teacher as facilitator
• Nurturing creativity
• Stimulating
• Playful atmosphere
• Freedom of movement
• Atmosphere of trust

18. Contd.,
• Assessment • Learner initiated
• Growth oriented
• Formative emphasis
• Anecdotal explanation
• Non-competitive

19. Thank You