Student-Centred Learning in Selected Private Higher Education Institution

Abstract

The teaching and learning system are currently witnessing a tremendous shift from personal-ised learning to student-centred learning that provide the learners with more autonomous and self-directed learning experience which are very much required by today’s digital driven workforce. The aim of this paper is to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of student-centred learning approaches in teaching-learning in Malaysia education industry. Lectures in a selected organisation are chosen for data collection purposes. Data was collected through interviews, observations and focus group discussions which is analysed using content and analytic induction analysis. Data are sorted and categorised into themes to theorize the advantages and disadvantages of student-centred learning in Malaysia Private Higher Learning Education. The findings of this study found that the approach creates a platform or an oppor-tunity to the learners to be more independent mainly in decision making process that encour-ages a learner to be more responsible. Besides, the approach also contributes in a high level of involvement and engagement amongst the students in the learning process that encourages a strong teamwork among students. In addition, the approach also tends to develop both soft and technical skills that lies within the learners which is an important element in today’s fast-growing business environment. However, some teachers still prefer the teacher-centred approach which is often criticized to be ineffective in the whole teaching-learning process as it limits a learner’s higher cognitive skills. Thus, managing all students at once becomes even more difficult. This study provides insights of the advantages and disadvantages of student-centred learning to the Ministry of Higher Education in Malaysia and to the academics so that strategies in maximising the advantages and strategies in overcoming the disadvantages of student- centred learning can be developed