Session 2: Differences Between Teacher-Centred and Student-Centred Learning Environments

Part 1: Examine at the case that you have selected. Jot down in this table what you notice about each of the 6 aspects of the learning environment in the left-hand column (Focus on the degree of teacher-centredness or student-centredness.) For each aspect of the learning environment, you are to indicate the degree (on the scale of 1 to 10) of Teacher or Student Centredness observed in addition to the observations that you will be documenting in the last column of the template.

Story 1: Geography lesson for upper secondary on environmental degradation.

At the end of the 1hr lesson, students are expected to:

• explore and synthesize information by conducting internet research on the topic
• listen and take notes using inspiration software during presentation by 2 groups on different issues pertaining to environmental degradation
• clarify and negotiate by posing questions to presenters
• decide on an issue by online discussion forum and poll the decision through online poll

Teachers role
9. The teacher merely acts as a facilitator. She leaves most of the work to the students (doing research, presentation of their findings).

Student roles
9.Students discussed in groups and each was assigned a role/responsibilies to develop their competence

Curriculum characteristics
8.Students challenge each other with questions follow by answers to the respective questions which I think foster higher level of thinking

Learning goals
7.Students are able to conduct research and carry out online forum independently. Nevertheless, they also show teamwork during presentation with some pupils taking notes and some working on Inspiration software.

Types of activities
9. Through projects, students were made to do their own research, have discussion/online forum, powerpoint presentation.

Assessment strategies
7. Assessment was done based on the questions raised and how it was answered, how extensive and relevant was the research and last but not least the mind maps.

Use of ICT
9.The teacher incorporate IT into her Geography lesson with the aim of helping students develop new skills to prepare them for engaged student centered learning. Students make use of powerpoint, Inspiration software, online forum

Part 2: Using the 4 shorts videos on IT in School (Sec)Video, answer the following questions in relation to the case study you have reviewed in part 1 of this worksheet:

a. Do you think the classroom environment chosen is appropriate for the learning activities? Explain why.

The classroom environment chosen is appropriate for all the 4 videos. For video 1 and 3, there are hands-on activities so that students are engaged. Instructions were given out in video 1 and 2 so that students can follow. This would not result in different pupils doing different things. As for video 4, students are engaged in game which often results in noise when they get over-excited. Since it is enclosed, other classes will not be disturbed.


b. The students seem to be focused and on task. What strategies do you think the teacher has used to achieve this outcome?

· assigning of seats reduce the chances of good friends talking to each other
· blue and red cups as signal to teacher eliminate the need for students to call for help
· assigning roles to different students eg IT representative to set up PC
· pre-lesson preparation eg Cd-roms were placed on the work stations. Hence, students need not collect themselves
· instructions given before the start of the lesson. Students know what they are expected to complete and how they should behave


c. What potential classroom management issues can possibly occur? What proposed solution(s) do you have?

I : A situation where there are many students who need assistance. Students who did not receive timely assistance may start making noise.
S: Station 2 teachers or 1 teacher and 1 IT officer

I : Students who are fast may have completed the given task and they start to talk
S: Let students who have completed surf the internet

I : Students get too excited over the game and make too much noise(beyond tolerance level)
S: Stop the game immediately. Students should be told of the consequences of making too much noise beforehand

I : Students who are slow cannot keep up with the class pace
S: Buddy system. Seating arrangement in such a way that a fast learner is seated beside a weaker student to assist him/her