Call for Papers on Student-Centered Learning Here

Sandi Stein (Psychology) and Maria Hess (Psychology) are co-editing an anthology on person-centered learning (also called student-centered education or learner-centered education). The primary intention is to convey the various historical and pedagogical theories, applications and practices of person/ learner-centered education that have been intrinsic to the evolution of Sonoma State and flourished in a variety of settings at the University since its inception.

"We believe Sonoma State has a unique and central position concerning person-centered pedagogies and it is timely to share this knowledge," says Hess. "Sonoma State is a cradle of experiential, meaningful, student/person-centered approaches to learning and education, which are necessary and relevant to any primary shift in academic practice."

What is person-centered learning? Person-centered learning as described by Hobart Thomas (2005) includes five basic tenets. They are: self-awareness; self-expression; responsibility for ones own learning and education; the integration of work and play (career and creativity); and the understanding of one’s relationships and responsibility to the world.

"Many of us teach with these tenets that center on the premise that experience is the central axis on which to build knowledge," says Stein. "We are looking for papers of any length that focus on some aspect of student/learner-centered education as you know and practice it."

"We feel very enthusiastic about this project and look forward to reading your work reflecting this aspect of academic experience." says Hess. For further information, contact Maria Hess at maria.hess@sonoma.edu, or Sandi Stein at seneca48@aol.com.