Technology and student-centered learning in higher education: Issues and practices

Unlike Didactic Approaches that dominated both lecture and mediated instruction in the past, systems are emerging that are designed to extend the unique inquiry priorities and needs of learners. Student-centered learning environments (SCLEs) provide complimentary activities that enable individuals to address unique learning interests and needs. They invite learner engagement through relevant problem contexts and the availability of appropriate resources. Technology enables methods through which important thinking processes can be guided. They support inquiry through information seeking, retrieval, and generation. While significant advances have been reported, problems have also surfaced. This paper introduces student-centered learning, provides examples of exemplary post-secondary student-centered learning practices, and identifies problems and issues associated with adopting, adapting, scaling, and advancing student-centered learning in higher education.