Teaching and Learning Essentials

Research supports the idea that learner-centered classrooms enhance student learning, social, and emotional outcomes. In these environments, teachers focus on the individual differences and learning needs of children. Then develop a range of instructional activities and learning support to address these needs (Lambert & McCombs). Many educational theories support this approach including Learner-Centered Psychnology Principles (LCP).

Marzano, Pickering, and Pollack (2001), conducted a meta-analysis of research studies on instructional strategies. They identified nine strategies to enhance student performance.

• Identifying similarities and differences
  
• Summarizing and note taking
  
• Reinforcing effort and providing recognition
  
• Homework and practice
  
• Nonlinguistic representations
  
• Cooperative learning
  
• Setting objectives and providing feedback
  
• Generating and testing hypotheses
  
• Cues, questions, and advanced organizers

What learner-centered strategies can be used to help students become more information fluent?

Areas to Explore

Planning

• Goal setting
  
• Project timelines, time management, and pacing charts
  
• Sequencing

Recording Keeping

Record keeping facilitates self-regulation in students by promoting self-awareness.

• Checklist
  
• Error lists
  
• Activity - Turn off spell checker while you write. Turn it on and log your spelling and grammar errors.
  
• Note-taking
  
• Portfolios
  
• Process journals

Environmental

• Seeks information
• Seeks assistance from peers, teachers
• Structures work environment

Human Interaction

• Team planning
  
• Reflective dialogue
  
• Collaborative learning - problem solving, case studies, WebQuests
  
• Peer teaching
  
• Interviewing
  
• Small group sharing and comparing

Self-Evaluation

• Checks progress toward goals
• Compare and select strategies
  
• Check work against rubrics

Self-Motivation

• Finds intrinsic motivation
  
• Self-reinforces
  
• Delays gratification

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