Student-centered approaches

  • 8 minutes

According to the World Economic Forum’s The Future of Jobs Report 2020, 85 million current jobs may be displaced by machines and algorithms between 2020 and 2025. Yet, at the same time, the report predicts the emergence of 97 million new jobs based on innovation and distinctly human traits. Schools must evolve to prepare learners for this rapidly changing 21st century world and workforce.

But, how?

Research on the science of learning suggests an opportunity to reshape schools and improve learner outcomes through a student-centered approach. While this may seem to reflect the goals of education and schooling in general, student-centered learning environments are ones in which systems and structures are intentionally designed in ways that promote learning. In many ways, student-centered learning environments rethink school and reshape it from what’s familiar to what works best for student learning. Student-centered learning focuses both on how students learn, through an emphasis on learning science, as well as what students learn, through the targets and outcomes of their learning experiences.

In this module, we'll explore student-centered learning as a framework, outlined by Students at the Center Hub, that leads to deeper learning:

Student-centered learning graphic - refer to linked text version below for accessible version.

Link for text version of student-centered learning graphic 

Source: Students at the Center Framework (developed in partnership by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation) 

This framework sets the foundation for this module, with each unit aligning with one of the tenets in the framework. The four tenets that we'll explore in this module are: 

  • Personalized Learning 
  • Competency-based Learning 
  • Learner Agency (inspired by “Anytime, Anywhere Learning”) 
  • Learner Ownership (inspired by “Student-Owned Learning”)  

Consider each unit and tenet in this module to be an integral part of the whole—often overlapping in application. What connects them is the goal of deeper learning, which The Hewlett Foundation describes as an “umbrella term for the skills and knowledge that students must possess to succeed in 21st century jobs and civic life.” In other words, deeper learning is enduring and transferable from one context to another. In each of the modules that follow, we'll revisit the goal of deeper learning through the lens of a specific tenet.

Each module will include the following format:

  • OVERVIEW: This section focuses on exploring the term through summarizing and sharing relevant learning science research. This section responds to the question: Why is this important to/for student learning?
  • APPLICATION: This section will include methods to apply these ideas to participants’ schools, focusing on the question: How can we concretely shift from theory to practice?
  • REFLECTION: This section offers participants the opportunity to reflect on what they’ve learned with a short prompt.