I don’t think it’s accurate to suggest that student-centric TRADITIONAL CLASSROOM instruction is in any way related to an adult enrolling in a MOOC.

Student centered means the teacher is in touch with students to let their interests drive deeper inquiry. Every 5th grade class must at some point learn about the history of their community. A student-centered classroom would ensure that the parts of the community that are highlighted in this study are driven by the students and therefore more engaging to students. Is there a group of students interested in the local civil servants whereas others are curious about the landmark structures or development of local parks? Tailoring work towards their interests and what move them are what fuels true learning.

The point is, you can have a student-centered philosophy and still be successful, engaging, and accountable. A good teacher takes on the role of ‘guide on the side’ by slowly releasing students to learn and engage in meaningful learning while observing, documenting, and continuously assessing their learning while using that information to fuel future instruction. In a MOOC there is no one interacting with you, seeking to understand your interests and where you’ve been most engaged.

There is much more to learn about the nature of learning and I’d be happy to share some great resources that may shed light on this exciting field. The NAP has many wonderful books, most of which are free to download, written by industry experts.