Learners and learning: motivational strategies & the role of teachers

Abstract

Learners and learning in the context of 21st century pedagogy need to be defined afresh. Today‘s learners are tech savvy and knowledge is at their fingertips. The smartphone genie serves its masters at the slightest rub. Teaching and learning profile has changed dramatically. This paradigm shift has narrowed its focus on learners and learning rather than on teachers and-teaching; but it doesn‘t, in any way, mean that teachers and teaching have been sidelined. On-the contrary, teachers and teaching have tactfully withdrawn to peripheral roles letting the floor for learners to flourish and create. It is only a change of roles-from active teachers to passive observers and from passive learners to active participants. This methodology in fact is childcentered pedagogy in current orthodoxy, and not teacher-led frontal teaching. Anecdotal evidences show that this method has immense potential to motivate and engage learners, provided teachers devise fresh motivational strategies and avoid harping on the same age-old, hackneyed methodology. This paper explores the various dimensions of this role reversals and its fit ability to 21st century pedagogical principles.