Learner centred approaches in medical education

Abstract

Self directed learning involves the learner as an active participant and encourages the development of a deep approach to learning. Self directed learning is the educational strategy most likely to produce doctors prepared for lifelong learning and able to meet the changing needs of their patients. Problem based learning and guided discovery learning are two instructional strategies that exploit the merits of a learner centred approach. Problem based learning is gaining in popularity as both an educational method and a curricular philosophy particularly suited to professional education. In guided discovery learning a mixed economy approach is used in which the best of traditional methods are combined with more innovative approaches to provide a learning environment conducive to deep learning. The move to learner centred strategies has major implications for faculty development at all levels from the institutional to the individual.