The Learner-centered Environments & Knowledge-centered Environments

I strongly agree with some of the points raised in the article entitled “The Design of Learning Environments”. For example, I see the importance of the Learner-centered Environments that “pay careful attention to the knowledge, skills, attitudes and beliefs that learners bring to the educational setting” With such information about the students, the teacher can plan lessons that are of interest or include “sensitivity the cultural practices” of the students. However, the teacher cannot remain at the Learner – centered environments indefinitely. The teacher needs to introduce the Knowledge – centered Environments to the students because this approach helps students to widen their knowledge base and also “acquire skills necessary to function effectively in a society”. The two types of learning environments must go hand in hand so that students can learn from the familiar to the unfamiliar terrains. First we need to know what our students know so hat we can build on it and as we progress we need widen their knowledge base so that they can develop beyond their current knowledge.