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Danielle Oyama
Mrs. Yeyna
British Literature P. 0
1 December 2016
Annotated Bibliography
Benjamin, Rebecca. "Entrusting Teachers with Student-Centered Instruction: A Review of the
Reading Strategies Book by Jessica Serravallo." EBSCO Host. University at Albany, 1
Mar. 2016. Web. 29 Nov. 2016.
http://web.a.ebscohost.com/src_ic/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=b9ec7946-4f9b-4df3-81a0-6
1822abc50df%40sessionmgr4008&vid=0&hid=4212
In this article, Benjamin summarizes a teaching strategies book written by Jessica
Serravallo, which provides an outline to any educator seeking a progressive course. Naturally
Benjamin utilizes the text written by Serravallo, as it is what she centered her writings on. The
writer reflects on Serravallos techniques as well as her general writing style in order to make her
novel applicable to any class. Additionally, Benjamin refers to various established writers within
the field of education, such as A.K Ellis and J. Bruner. The piece itself is a review on a
guidebook for teaching curriculums, all geared toward creating a more cohesive and exciting
learning environment. Teachers are advised to reflect on each class uniquely, in order to fashion
their curriculums based on their individual interests. However, Serravallo is careful to focus on
the theory of student-centered learning rather than standards imposed by the state. Benjamin
reveres the narrative, stating that it is a fantastic tool for any educator looking for guidance and
structure. The essay was extremely helpful in providing a background on what student-centered

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learning is in theory. Additionally, it provides context which clearly identifies the division
between the concept of student-centered learning and its actual execution.

Clifford, Ian. Do Learner-Centred Approaches Work in Every Culture? Do Learner-Centred

Approaches

Work in Every Culture? British Council, British Council, 7 Oct. 2015,

www.britishcouncil.org/voices-magazine/do-learner-centred-approaches-work-every-cult
Ure.
Within this piece, Ian Clifford delves into the topic of learner-centered classes and its
recent surge of popularity within Western Cultures. Clifford refutes the condemnation of the
typical, teacher-centered approach, instead advocating for this method. The writer refers to a
variety of educationalists, including those who have taught learner-centered classes, yet continue
to advocate for the same cause as Clifford. The article begins by establishing what
student-centered learning is, and why this practice is only good in theory. When the child is
forced to instruct themselves, they overload their brains with information and are incapable of
fully absorbing the material. Additionally, Clifford states that this practice is a failure due to four
factors, the governments overly high expectations, readapted teaching approaches colliding with
the old exams, lack of means, and differences in cultures. This article outlines a large amount of
issues that are associated with implementing the new curriculum. Additionally, the piece
provides various examples of lackluster attempts at student-centered learning, a result of poor
implementation. Cliffords writings provide an alternate perspective on the topic, and answers
the question I had as to why the concept of student-centered learning continues to fail.

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McCarthy, John. Student-Centered Learning: It Starts With the Teacher. Edutopia,

George Lucas Educational Foundation, 9 Sept. 2015,
www.edutopia.org/blog/student-centered-learning-starts-with-teacher-john-mccarthy.
In his article, John McCarthy advocates for student-centered learning and placing more
responsibility on the student rather than the educator. Being both an educator himself as well as a
parent, McCarthy validates his opinions and relates them to the perspective of the teacher. The
piece focuses immensely on the beneficial attributes of student-centered learning. McCarthy
mainly focuses on the belief that eventually students can identify their own learning style, aiding
their education for the future. Most of the piece addresses educators themselves in efforts of
converting them to a different teaching technique. This article was helpful because it provides
specific examples as to how student-centered learning can be implemented. Entering this project
I found had an aversion to student-centered learning, but the article lessened my distaste by
proving an alternate perspective to my own. The writer shines a positive light on the new age
method, providing multiple strategies that the curriculum can be placed. McCarthy expands
beyond just theory, and in turn restoring faith in the curriculum by focusing on real-world
application.

McKenna, Barbara. Researchers Find Student-Centered Learning Approaches Help

Underserved Kids Achieve. Stanford Graduate School of Education, Stanford Graduate
School of Education News Center, 28 Jan. 2014,

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https://ed.stanford.edu/news/researchers-find-student-centered-learning-approaches-helpunderserved-kids-achieve
Beginning this piece, Mckenna addresses the issue of inequity within the public
education system. The writer proceed to acknowledge the beneficial effects of student-centered
learning, both on affluent as well as lower income students. The essay includes copious examples
of positive results in student test scores and educations. All a result of student-based learning.
The article talks about how students that are not fiscally flexible often struggle more in school.
By imposing linked learning, these children are provided personalized learning with real world
solutions. Ultimately, the method of student-centered learning seemed to minimize the education
gap across schools. This article was helpful because it provides an alternate perspective as to
why student-centered learning should be implemented. Initially I only looked at the topic with
regards to the public education system and its effects on the average student. However, with this
article a new light is shined on the method, and how it is capable of helping different minority
groups.

Sioux, McKenna. The Dangers of Student-Centered Learning A Caution about Blind Spots
in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Digital Commons, International Journal
for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, July 2013,
digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1391&context=ij-sotl.
Sioux begins the article by addressing the publics concerns with teacher-centered
learning, that educators ignore the plights of their students and in turn neglect their educations.

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However, the writer quickly dissolves these claims, referring to various writers who have also
dabbled in student-centered approaches prior to rejecting them. The writer presents various other
factors that could contribute to student failure besides the old approach. Articulating the idea that
the absence of student success is not on the shoulders of the educator, but rather external
influences. Sioux then proceeds to identify fallacies in the student-centered approach, including
lack of student discipline in order to succeed with the new curriculum. By reading this essay I
was able to find another implication with student-centered learning which is a lack of structure
and motivation on part of the student. This also made me question the autonomy of a student
with regards to their education. How many liberties should a child be given with regards to their
teachings? Should individuals be trusted to teach themselves sufficiently? By forcing these
questions to arise, the article aided me in expanding my perspective and the scope of my
research.

Taylor, Donald M. "Challenges of Applying a Student-centered Approach to Learning in the

Context of Education in Kyrgyzstan." International Journal of Educational Development.
Elsevier, 2009. Web. Dec. 2016.
http://www.mapageweb.umontreal.ca/delasabr/publications/de%20la%20Sablonniere,%2
0Taylor,%20&%20Sadykova%20(IJED,%20in%20press).pdf
The article begins with Taylors juxtaposition of education systems within Western
culture compared to that of Central Asian and other foreign nations, a dilemma that has arisen
over the years. Most nations have only recently been exposed to the concept of student-based

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learning, and now they face a clashing of ideas. Taylor writes about the difficulties other nations
face with engaging with their youth and emphasizing the importance of education. The resolution
the author presents is found within the attitudes of the individuals, rather than the teaching
method used. There has been too drastic of a change in curriculum in efforts of evoking greater
results, however each country must address the needs of their nations educations first. This
article is extremely helpful in providing international perspective on applying student-centered
learning. In all the other pieces I researched, all of them dealt with traditional Western societies
imposing the curriculum. By providing an alternate culture, other issues arise that can not be
accounted for in American education systems. Additionally, from the piece I realized the
importance of smooth transitions when changing curriculums, presenting an issue I had not
previously thought about.