Student-centered learning is an approach to education focusing on the needs of the students. Students are required to become more active and responsible of their own learning. The concept of student centered learning thrives since the growing understanding of how students actually learn. This is a shifting paradigm of conventional learning which centered on teachers roles. This article explores the implication of student-centered learning on the aspects of curriculum development, learning strategies, roles of teachers and students, learning environment, and the measurement of student achievement. The impacts of this approach on face to face learning as well as distance learning are also discussed.
Implement the SCL approach means that teachers need to help students to set goals that can be achieved, encouraging students to be able to assess the results of their own learning, helping them to work together in groups, and ensure that they know how to utilize all the available learning resources. Learning is more a form of self-development as a whole compared to the linear progress achieved by teacher praise and sanctions. Errors viewed as a constructive part of the learning process and need not be seen as a shameful thing. Opinion is the essence of the principle that appears in various SCL SCL definitions, some of which were presented as follows.
"Student-centered learning or student-centered learning is an approach to education focusing on the needs of the students, rather than Those of others INVOLVED in the educational process, Such as teachers and administrators" (Wikipedia, 2006). Lea, Stephenson, and Troy (2003 in O'Neill & McMahon, 2005) more broadly defines the SCL is that the SCL include: dependency on active learning, an emphasis on learning in depth, understanding, increased responsibility on the part of students, increased feelings of autonomy on learners, interdependence between teacher and student. SCL rather a reflexive approach to learning both for the students and teachers.
In the SCL approach, the learner has full responsibility for their learning activities, especially in the form of active involvement and participation of students. The relationship between students who each other are equal, which is reflected in the form of cooperation in groups to complete a learning task. Teachers act more as facilitators who encourage student progress, and does not constitute the sole source of learning. Active students have been involved from the beginning in the form of study design that takes into account the knowledge, skills, and learning experiences of students who have obtained previously. From the experience of existing practice, expected after the learning experience with SCL approach learners will see themselves differently, in a sense better understand the benefits of learning, more able to apply knowledge and skills learned, and more confident (O'Neill & McMahon, 2005).
