Student-centered learning: principles, benefits, challenges, levels of implementation Pusa Nastase Central European University, Hungary UNICA EduLab, ELTE Budapest, December 4, 2015 pascl.eu

Definition of SCL (from SCL Toolkit) » represents both a mindset and a culture within a given higher education institution and is a learning approach which is broadly related to, and supported by, constructivist theories of learning. It is characterised by innovative methods of teaching which aim to promote learning in communication with teachers and other learners and which take students seriously as active participants in their own learning, fostering transferable skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and reflective thinking.« pascl.eu

Approaches in SCL active rather than passive learning deep rather than surface (or strategic) learning learner: increased responsibility, accountability, autonomy interdependence and mutual respect within teacher-learner relationship reflexivity in both learning and teaching pascl.eu

Principles underlying SCL (1) (based on SCL Toolkit) SCL requires an ongoing reflexive process SCL does not have a ›One-Size-Fits-All‹ solution students have different learning styles students have different needs and interests pascl.eu

Principles underlying SCL (2) (based on SCL Toolkit) choice is central to effective learning students have different experiences and background knowledge students should have control over their learning SCL is about ›Enabling‹ not ›Telling‹ learning requires cooperation between students and staff pascl.eu

Institutional benefits of SCL Quality enhancement Higher student retention rates Recruitment: attractiveness for students Creates other opportunities (adult education) Increased credibility in relation with employers Potential positive differentiation against other universities SCR of universities

Institutional challenges Academic reward structure Academic rules for hiring and promotion The infrastructure The diluted mission of the university The institutional culture National context Financial considerations

From policy to processes to implementation Change comes through a combination of bottom up pressure (students) and top down support (from ministries and university leadership) The principles of SCL need to be internalized at all levels Incremental changes and constant self- evaluation are required from the part of the institution

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