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Strengths And Weaknesses Of Student-Based Learning

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Amongst theorists there is considerable disagreement around the effeteness of a student centred approach to teaching and learning. Kirschner, Sweller and Clark (2006) state that student centred, or discovery learning is not an adequate approach to teaching. The main focus of their paper supports the idea that direct instruction is a much more effective approach. They argue “minimal guidance during instruction is significantly less effective and efficient than guidance specifically designed to support the cognitive processing necessary for leaning” (Kirschner, Sweller, & Clark, 2006, p. 76). They believe discovery learning ignores the structures that establish human cognitive architecture. Kirschner, Sweller and Clark’s paper does serve as a reminder that student led problem based learning, in some cases, is not the most effective way for learners. While the paper has its strengths, i think that within education learners need a more direct or guided approach to build foundations. Once these foundations are in place, student led learning can be encouraged.
In contrast to Kirschner et al (2006), Ashman and Conway (1997) believe that learning is more than memorising, it is acquiring knowledge through experiences and observations. They are very much believers that discovery learning is key to a learners development, allowing them to solve problems and struggle with new concepts, aiming to build a learners overall understanding, but there is little focus on how you are to help

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