Active learning: the impact of student-centred methodology

28/11/2024

News

Active learning: the impact of student-centred methodology

Through the “Let’s Learn!” project, funded by the Pestalozzi Children Foundation, ESMABAMA implements a student-centred teaching methodology to foster skill development. This approach positions students as active participants in their education, empowering them to take charge of their learning journey.

Through the project’s support, teachers receive methodological training in the child-centred approach, equipping them with new tools to better understand and assist their students. In this role, teachers become facilitators, guiding and supporting students in their discoveries, rather than merely transmitting information.

This method shifts the focus from merely transmitting information to understanding each child’s unique needs, interests and abilities. Learning is structured around the child’s natural curiosity, encouraging exploration, questioning, and meaningful participation in activities.

students in the classroom – Machanga

What do they learn in the Let’s Learn! training courses?

Laura Candadja, director of Mapangara Primary School, emphasized that the training on the teaching and learning system has been highly productive and beneficial for teachers.

Laura Candadja, director of Mapangara Primary School- Machanga

The director highlighted the critical importance of methodological training, noting that “knowledge is constantly evolving, and we must stay up to date to ensure the highest quality in our teaching. Training enhances and strengthens teachers’ skills”. For the students, this methodology is effective because the teaching process is centred on the needs they present.

Each year, they organize at least one training session focused on child-centered, participatory teaching approaches, along with various other training programs designed for teachers. These sessions are conducted across the four missions where we operate. A total of 168 teachers from the 21 schools supported by the Pestalozzi Children Foundation across our 4 missions benefit from this training. These teachers are entrusted not only with implementing the pupil-centered approaching their classrooms, but also with sharing the knowledge they acquire with their fellow teachers.

Differences between traditional methodology and student-centred methodology

Teacher training in student-centred teaching methodologies – Machanga

“The traditional, teacher-centred approach viewed students as blank slates, with teachers leading lessons while students remained passive listeners – a practice that, in some ways, hindered their development. In contrast, the student-centered approach recognizes that students bring their own knowledge and encourages them to actively participate in their learning process’’

Armando Chaua Education sector manager- ESMABAMA

This methodology fosters a more inclusive and participatory environment, where children feel valued and motivated to contribute.

Moreover, a student-centred approach nurtures not only the cognitive development but also social, emotional and problem-solving skills. By encouraging autonomy and responsibility from an early age, this method equips students to tackle challenges critically and collaboratively, while fostering a strong sense of self-efficacy.

Students in the Mission of Estaquinha

Ultimately, the aim is to cultivate engaged, independent and creative students who can apply their learning in practical contexts, both inside and outside the classroom. This approach makes education more relevant and meaningful, ensuring that each child is heard and respected in their unique qualities.

The student-centred teaching method focuses on the active involvement of the student in the learning process. In this model, the student is seen as the main agent of their development, while the teacher acts as a facilitator or mediator. The approach values participation, critical thinking and the construction of knowledge. It is this methodology that ESMABAMA, with funding from the Pestalozzi Children Foundation, is implementing in rural areas. See the details of this article below.