Knowledge Focused to Teacher focused to learner Focused Learning Environment

Knowledge Focused to Teacher focused to learner Focused Learning Environment

“Learning environment is the sum of the internal and external circumstances and influences surrounding and affecting a person's learning”  Vickers

From ancient times education is playing its pivotal role in society accordance with its needs. But When there is alteration in society the other parts do alter. So the transformation and shift in education (Its aims, its functions etc) is indispensable. Lets discuss from archaic to world of technology.

1.       Knowledge focused learning environment

"He who is possessed of supreme knowledge by concentration of mind, must have his senses under control, like spirited steeds controlled by a charioteer." Upanishads

Learning  Educational system through the ages had been prized and pursued not for its own sake, if we may so put it, but for the sake, and as a part, of religion. (It was sought as the means of self-realization, as the means to the highest end of life. viz. Mukti or Emancipation. Ancient Indian education is also to be understood as being ultimately the outcome of the Indian theory of knowledge as part of the corresponding scheme of life and values.

It has been molded and shaped in the course of its history more by religious than by political, or economic, influences. The fundamental principles of social, political, and economic life were welded into a comprehensive theory of Knowledge i.e. liberation

Important Features of Knowledge focused learning environment

A – Aims of education

1.       Liberation the ultimate aim

2.       Control of mind

3.       Self Realization

4.       Removal of ignorance

5.       Spiritual Knowledge

6.       Character  Building

B – Curriculum

1.       Religious education

2.       Knowledge of art and literature

C- Methods of Instruction

1.       Meditation

2.       Mythical Method

3.       Discussions

D – Teacher

1.       Nature

2.       Self

3.       Society

2.        Teacher focused learning environment

According to smith “ Teacher

                                                                Means : Knowledge

Teacher                                                    Educational Process                                        Child     

                                                      Means : Teacher’s Personality   

                                                                                                                                                                                         

1.       Primary Focus on Teacher

2.       Teaching – a bipolar process

3.       Teacher dominate learning

4.       Knowledge transmitted only through teacher

5.       Students passive role

6.       Aims of education decided by teacher

7.       Focus on Content rather than Students’ level

8.       Teacher centered curriculum

9.       Teacher directs and controls all aspects of learning

10.   Strict discipline

11.   Imposition on child

12.   Teacher chosen methods of teaching

13.   Text books prescribed by teacher

14.   Learning- A solitary activity

3.       Learner Focused Learning Environment

Learning-centered education places the student at the center of education. It places the responsibility for learning on the student, while the instructor assumes responsibility for facilitating the student’s education. Learning-centered education advocates a student-focused teaching and learning environment. Educators attempt to maximize student productivity, knowledge acquisition, skills augmentation and development of personal and professional abilities.

“The perspective that couples a focus on individual learners (their heredity, experiences, perspectives, backgrounds, talents, interests, capacities, and needs) with a focus on learning (the best available knowledge.”  McCombs

1.       Teacher and student learn together

2.       Teacher’s role to facilitate learning

3.       Initiatives on the part of students

4.       More options and responsibilities for students for learning

5.       No Longer passive to teacher’s knowledge

6.       Self paced tutorials

7.       Self discipline

8.       Problem Based learning

9.       Shift in teacher’s role

10.   Learning process rather than content

11.   Significant position of learner

12.   Experience based learning

13.   Learner Based Methods of teaching

14.   Varied approaches ( Open Distance E learning)