Who is in command in a classroom? The teacher, whether using a student-centred or teacher-centred educational strategy. To an outsider, a student-centred classroom may appear and feel very different from a teacher-centred one.
Teachers are skilled at incorporating elements of both systems into their lessons because they understand the differences between the two.ย
What is Pedagogy?
The art and science of teaching are referred to as Pedagogy. It is a collection of instructional techniques that teachers employ to speed up learning. The two main methods of teaching are teacher-centred pedagogy and student-centred pedagogy.ย
Letโs examine the distinctions between the two strategies.
Student-Centred Pedagogy:
A teaching strategy known as student-centred pedagogy centres the course of study on the individual student. It is a method of teaching that aims to actively include students in the learning process. This method is distinguished by a practical, group, and experiential learning environment.ย
Here, the teacher serves as a facilitator rather than an educator in a student-centred classroom. The instructor fosters a learning atmosphere and empowers students to be active participants in their education. Students are urged to collaborate and share knowledge with one another.
Benefits of Adopting Student-Centred Pedagogy:
- Student-centred pedagogy promotes student involvement and desire.ย
- Students are more likely to be motivated and engaged in the subject matter when they actively participate in the learning process.ย
- It fosters analytical abilities. When children are encouraged to think independently, they acquire the abilities needed to analyse and assess data.
- It encourages cooperation and teamwork. When students collaborate, they develop their ability to communicate clearly, exchange ideas, and work towards a common objective.
- Through group projects, students acquire crucial communicative and collaborative abilities.
- Students have the ability to guide their own learning, pose inquiries, and carry out assignments on their own.
- When learning activities allow for group interaction and active participation, students are more engaged.
Drawbacks of Adopting Student-Centred Pedagogy:
- In larger classrooms, student-centred pedagogy could be challenging to implement. Giving each student individualised attention when there are many students might be difficult.ย
- Evaluating students’ learning might be challenging. It might be difficult to gauge a learner’s development and assess their comprehension of the subject matter when they are pushed to think critically.
- It can take a while. In comparison to teacher-centred pedagogy, student-centred pedagogy frequently involves more planning and effort.
- Classrooms may frequently be chaotic or noisy because of the students speaking among each other.
- When students are working on different stages of the same project, it can be challenging for teachers to try to oversee all of the student’s activities at once.
- Some learners may miss crucial information since the teacher doesn’t always teach everyone at once.
- Group projects can be challenging for some students who prefer to work independently.
Teacher-Centred Pedagogy:
Teacher-centred pedagogy is a method of teaching that puts the teacher at the centre of the educational process. It is a more conventional method of instruction that places a stronger emphasis on the teacher’s position as the subject-matter authority and knowledge-source. The instructor is in charge of imparting knowledge to the students in a teacher-centred classroom.
Benefits of Adopting Teacher-Centred Pedagogy:
- Teacher-centred pedagogy is more effective. Information delivery to the students is the teacher’s responsibility, and it can be done quickly and effectively.ย
- It is simpler to gauge students’ progress. When the teacher is in charge of imparting knowledge, it is relatively easy to assess how much the students have learned.ย
- Bigger classrooms are simpler to control. The teacher is in charge of a teacher-centred classroom, which can make it simpler to manage in larger classrooms.
- The classroom stays organised when teaching is teacher-centred. Instructors maintain complete control of the classroom and its activities while the students remain quiet.
- You control every aspect of the classroom activities, so you don’t have to be concerned that kids won’t learn an important concept.
Drawbacks of Adopting Teacher-Centred Pedagogy:
- Students might find it less interesting and boring. Students are less likely to be interested in and engaged in the content when they are seen as passive recipients of the information.ย
- It might be less successful in fostering critical thinking abilities. If children aren’t encouraged to think critically, they might not acquire the abilities needed to analyse and evaluate data.ย
- It might not be as good at encouraging cooperation and teamwork. Students may not have the chance to collaborate and learn from one another in a teacher-centred classroom.
- When students donโt collaborate, they can experience trouble communicating with others and don’t learn how to interact with others.
- Students cannot express themselves, ask questions, or take charge of their own learning when instruction is teacher-centred.
Also, Student-centred pedagogy often emphasises higher-order thinking abilities, including analysis, evaluation, and creation, in accordance with Bloom’s Taxonomy. It places a strong emphasis on student-led inquiry, exploration, and discovery, all of which are crucial for cultivating critical thinking abilities.ย
In contrast, teacher-centred pedagogy usually puts a focus on lower-order thinking abilities like remembering and understanding, which are important for developing a student’s core knowledge but may not be enough to prepare them for success in the workplace of the twenty-first century.
In Conclusion:
Both teacher- and student-centred pedagogies have advantages and disadvantages. There is no right or wrong answer when deciding between these two pedagogies. The final decision about the method of teaching is based on the student’s needs, the learning objectives, and the teaching environment. For all kids, it’s important to establish a challenging, relevant, and interesting learning environment.ย
Generally speaking, a teaching strategy that combines both pedagogies can prove the most successful. For instance, a teacher might use a teacher-centred approach to present the fundamental knowledge before switching to a student-centred pedagogy to urge students to use it in a practical project. Teachers can create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that fits the requirements of all learners by using a number of teaching tactics.
