The Learner-Centered Classroom and School: Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation and Achievement (Jossey-Bass Education Series) [Hardcover]

Barbara L. McCombs (Author), Jo Sue Whisler (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0787908363 | ISBN-13: 978-0787908362 | Publication Date: March 24, 1997 | Edition: 1st

Shows educators and administrators how they can fill their classrooms with students who are eager for success and motivated to learn. The learner-centered approach focuses on designing instruction that is sensitive to the individual students needs, abilities, and interests rather than rigidly tied to the subject matter.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In an era when the idea of learner-centered teaching is widely advocated but seldom practiced, there is finally a book uncommonly faithful to this approach. Barbara McCombs and Jo Sue Whisler carefully blend years of research and practice to give teachers practical guidance and to spur the educational establishment to urgently needed reform." (Raymond J. Wlodkowski, Ph.D., Motivation Expert and author of Eager to Learn and Diversity and Motivation)

"McCombs and Whisler extract powerful, practical lessons from contemporary theories of learner-centered classrooms. As imminently readable and insightful contribution to the field of education." (Martin V. Covington, professor of psychology, University of California Berkeley and author of Making the Grade and Overcoming Student Failure)

"The Learner-Centered Classroom and School gives us a vision of a truly powerful form of school reform--focusing the instructional process on the learner. McCombs and Whisler not only provide a comprehensive review of the research and theory on learning and motivation, but they spell out in practical detail how teachers can utilize this information to implement a learner-centered approach. This book has the potential of drastically altering the promise and practice of education." (Robert J. Marzano, deputy executive director for training and development, Mid-continent Regional Educational Laboratory, Aurora, Co and author of Dimensions of Learning and A Comprehensive Guide to Designing Standard' Based Districts, Schools and Classrooms)

"An especially useful tool to anyone attempting to establish a learner-centered environment by increasing student motivation and achievement." (Connie H. Yarema, assistant professor of mathematics, Northeast Louisiana University)

From the Inside Flap

What a learned-centered perspective and model helps us understand is that human beings—individual learners, young and old, students and teachers—bring with them a complex array of unique perspectives, needs, capacities, and strengths. At the same time, they share certain fundamental qualities. The inherent need to grow, live, and develop in a positive direction, for example, is common to all learners. What best supports these inherent capacities and distinctive characteristics? To find out, we asked students and educators what they thought produced the highest level of learning in not only academic areas, but in the personal, social, and vocational realms as well."—from the preface The Learner-Centered Classroom and School shows educators and administrators how they can fill their classrooms with students who are eager for success and motivated to learn. The learner-centered approach focuses on designing instruction that is sensitive to the individual students needs, abilities, and interests rather than rigidly tied to the subject matter. This unique approach emphasizes cooperation, is respectful of the learner, and trusts individuals to be responsible their own learning. The book is filled with useful examples and practical suggestions for implementing learner-centered concepts into any school or classroom.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1st edition (March 24, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787908363
• ISBN-13: 978-0787908362
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #987,759 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must read book for elementary school teachers, November 13, 2000

By 

KATHY D ACEVEDO (WOODRIDGE, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Learner-Centered Classroom and School: Strategies for Increasing Student Motivation and Achievement (Jossey-Bass Education Series) (Hardcover)

For teacher's planning a learner-center lesson plan this book is a great guide. For my group of students, the strategies were very effective. This book also points out many reasons for a learner-centered classroom. The points are useful as well as practical. There are several examples also that will get you charged up, you will want to implement them in your own classroom as soon as possible.