Posted 10:09 PM by George Siemens
What is "learner-centered"?
Learner-centered is a common term in corporate training and higher education...it's often used to indicate just how sincere the organization is about learning. Beyond that, however, the concept is misunderstood at best (and most often - much discussed, little practiced).

What does "learner-centered" mean? (these comments refer to online learning)
In a true learner-centered environment, the learner is the beginning and end point of the learning process, and his/her needs are the focus of the course/program/organization...from first contact with the program through to the registration process, to the course itself, to the instruction, to the evaluation and assessment, and to the follow up/feedback solicitation. Basically, the learner, not the instructor, organization, or software, is in control of the learning experience.

What does "learner-centered" look like?
The following are some characteristics/traits of learner-centeredness"

• Course registration is simple and one-stop...course access passwords (for online courses) are given at registration time
  
• Tools (technology) are available as the learner needs (not squeezing the learner into a technology platform that is rigid)
  
• Variety - the course offers discussion, asynch/synch learning, interactive activities, quizzes, multi-media where appropriate
  
• Flexible - course design and instruction accommodates the changing schedules of adult learners
  
• Accounts for (acknowledges) previous learning...and adjusts
  
• The instructor adjusts to the student - chat times, course schedule, etc.
  
• The course content is measured (organizationally) against standards
  
• The quality of instruction is measured against standards
  
• The student is an active partner in the learning process...not the object of an information dump
  
• The entire online experience is "usable"...and has been piloted and tested at various levels
  
• The course/program/institution is continually renewed through feedback from learners
  

Posted 7:41 PM by George Siemens
Addicted to E?
Quote: "First it was e-business, then e-commerce. More recently it has been e-learning. This preoccupation with technology often results in the sacrifice of traditional business arguments, commercial logic, or consideration of the impact on a workforce. Technology is ruling our lives.
In the rush to make e-learning work, businesses around the world have compared, contrasted, and invested in technological innovations and infrastructure while neglecting the most important piece of the e-learning jigsaw puzzle: content.
Comment: I don't know if content is the most important part of elearning...interaction plays an equally critical role. However, the point the author makes is valid: technology is sometimes too central to elearning. Ideally, technology should play a support role...or put another way - technology is a tool that should be used based on its ability to address a particular problem/concern. The pendulum has swung heavily to the tech side...but articles like this highlight a trend of moving back to a learning focus. (probably pushed along by incredibly expensive LMS implementations from platforms like WebCT and BlackBoard...both of which can be useful for elearning...but not the backbone (that's learning))