Learning-Centered Teaching And Backward Course Design From Transferring Knowledge To Teaching Skills

Abstract

The article shall focus on the design of academic courses from a learning-centered approach, with an emphasis on the formulation of learning outcomes. Planning a course from a learning-centered approach helps create a dialogue between the academic faculty and students and creates congruence between learning outcomes (course goals) and instruction methods and assessment goals. The purpose of the article is to present the need for paradigmatic change and for a transition from planning content-centered courses to planning learning-centered courses. The need for paradigmatic change stems from technological transformations and from the status of knowledge as belonging to everyone. The article presents the significance of expressing learning outcomes in writing and the advantages and challenges of formulating learning aims. The article shall present a case study of a course in the "backward design" method that is consistent with the learning-centered paradigm. The challenges formed by this method will be discussed as well.