Effectiveness of Person-Centered Learning in the Age of the Internet

Abstract

Extensive research has confirmed the effectiveness of the Person-Centered Approach in face-to-face education. More recently, advances in web-technology have opened up new dimensions of searching: Is person-centered learning effective along the application of modern technology in education? In this contribution I reflect 10 years of research at the University of Vienna, Austria. Essentially, we found that, given learners perceive the facilitators’ person-centered attitudes and courses employ a thoughtful blend of face-to-face and online elements, these courses tend to be perceived by students as carrying value far beyond just cognitive gains: For example, students indicate that they are motivated to engage in active, self-initiated learning, they improve their interpersonal relationships and team skills, become better listeners and learn significantly from the multiple perspectives they perceive.