Table 2.

Comparison of criteria and activities implemented in a teacher-centered paradigm and a learner-centered paradigm⁷

Teacher-centered paradigm	Learner-centered paradigm
Knowledge is transmitted from faculty to students in a passive traditional lecture-based format	Students construct knowledge through active learning, self-directed learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
Emphasis is on how faculty teach	Emphasis is on how students learn
Faculty’s role is to be primary information giver and primary evaluator	Faculty’s role is to coach and facilitate; faculty and students evaluate learning together
Culture is competitive and individualistic and supportive	Culture is cooperative, collaborative,

Huba ME and Freed J. Learner-centered assessment on college campuses: shifting the focus from teaching to learning, 1st ed, 2000, p5. Reprinted by permission of Pearson Education, Inc, Upper Saddle River, NJ.