Definition
Learner-centered teaching is an approach to mathematics instruction that places heavy emphasis on the students taking responsibility for problem solving and inquiry. The teacher is viewed as a facilitator by posing problems and guiding students as they work with partners toward creating a solution.
Characteristics
Intellectual Autonomy
Many researchers have contended that one of the most important contributions that education can make in individuals’ lives is to their development of autonomy (Piaget 1948/1973). Autonomy is defined as the determination to be self-governing, to make rules for oneself rather than rely on the rules of others to make one’s decisions (heteronomy). Kamii (1982) suggests that autonomy is the ability to think for oneself and make decisions independently of the promise of rewards or punishments. In relation to education, Richards (1991) distinguishes between two types of traditions in the mathematics education of children, what he terms school...
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Stephan, M. (2020). Learner-Centered Teaching in Mathematics Education. In: Lerman, S. (eds) Encyclopedia of Mathematics Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-15789-0_87
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