learner-centered
|learn-er-cen-tered|
🇺🇸
/ˈlɝnɚˌsɛntɚd/
🇬🇧
/ˈlɜːnəˌsɛntəd/
focused on the learner
Etymology
'learner-centered' originates from English as a compound of 'learner' + 'centered'. 'Learner' ultimately comes from Old English 'leornere', where 'leorn-' meant 'to learn' and '-ere' meant 'one who'. 'Centered' comes from 'center' (from Latin 'centrum' via Old French 'centre'), where the root meant 'center/point'.
'Learner' evolved from Old English 'leornere' into Middle and Modern English 'learner'. 'Center' came from Latin 'centrum' through Old French 'centre' into Middle English 'centre', and the adjectival form 'centered' (X-centered) developed in Modern English; the compound 'learner-centered' emerged in educational discourse in the 20th century.
Initially, 'centered' described having a center or being physically central; over time 'centered on' developed the figurative meaning 'focused on'. Combined as 'learner-centered', it came to mean 'focused on the needs and experiences of the learner'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
designed around the needs, experiences, interests, and development of the learner rather than around the teacher, content, or institution.
The school implemented a learner-centered curriculum to better meet students' needs.
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Adjective 2
pertaining to teaching methods or organizational policies that give learners active roles, choice, and responsibility in their learning process.
A learner-centered classroom encourages collaboration and problem-solving.
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Last updated: 2025/10/03 20:35