Learner-Centered Psychological Principles

Learner-Centered Psychological Principles

• Focus on internal psychological factors of learners, accounting for both individual and environmental influences.
• Consists of 14 principles organized under cognitive/metacognitive, motivational/affective, developmental/social, and individual difference factors.
• Applicable to all stakeholders in education, including learners, educators, and community members.

Cognitive and Metacognitive Factors

• Nature of the Learning Process

  • Complex subject matter learning is most effective when intentional, emphasizing personal meaning construction.
  • Active, goal-oriented, and self-regulating learners take responsibility for their education.

• Goals of the Learning Process

  • Successful learners develop meaningful representations of knowledge with support over time.
  • Goal-directed learning helps students create relevant objectives, gradually refining understanding to reach long-term aspirations.
  • Educators play a vital role in helping set and achieve these goals aligned with personal interests.

• Construction of Knowledge

  • Successful learners connect new information with existing knowledge to create understanding.
  • Effective linking can involve modifications or reorganizations of knowledge, tailor-fit to individual talents and interests.
  • Integration of new knowledge is crucial for effective application and transfer to new situations; educators can facilitate this through methods like concept mapping.

• Strategic Thinking

  • Successful learners utilize diverse thinking and reasoning strategies to tackle complex goals effectively.
  • Continuous reflection on strategies used allows learners to identify effective methods, supported by guided instruction and feedback.
  • Educators enhancing strategies can improve learning outcomes by encouraging the development and assessment of strategic skills.

• Thinking About Thinking

  • Reflective learners can evaluate their thinking processes to steer creative and critical cognitive operations.
  • Setting achievable learning goals and monitoring progress are key components of this metacognitive awareness.

This quiz explores 14 psychological principles that focus on the learner and the learning process. These principles emphasize internal factors under the learner's control while considering external contextual influences. Test your understanding of how these principles can shape effective learning strategies.