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Learner-centredness: an analytical critique
Abstract
Contemporary education theory (and official South African policy) underwrites
learner-centredness. I analyse learner-centredness as a possible piece of the
puzzle about why it is proving so difficult to improve academic achievement.
Learner-centred ideas are grounded in the belief that cognitive abilities develop spontaneously in accordance with a natural developmental trajectory and optimal education is education that is in harmony therewith. The origin of
learner-centredness is Rousseau’s education naturelle. I set out Rousseau’s
ideas and then critically analyse their manifestation in contemporary education.
learner-centredness. I analyse learner-centredness as a possible piece of the
puzzle about why it is proving so difficult to improve academic achievement.
Learner-centred ideas are grounded in the belief that cognitive abilities develop spontaneously in accordance with a natural developmental trajectory and optimal education is education that is in harmony therewith. The origin of
learner-centredness is Rousseau’s education naturelle. I set out Rousseau’s
ideas and then critically analyse their manifestation in contemporary education.