Student-Centered and Constructivist Approaches in Learning

Abstrak

This article discusses two student-centered learning approaches, namely student-centered learning  and  constructivism , both of which aim to increase student engagement and understanding in the learning process. The student- centered  approach places students at the center of learning activities, where teachers act as facilitators who support students in developing their own knowledge. Students are given the freedom to explore, ask questions, and work in groups. On the other hand, constructivism, pioneered by Piaget and Vygotsky, focuses on how students construct knowledge through experience and interaction with their surroundings. Learning in this approach encourages students to actively explore, discuss, and reflect on the concepts being studied. This article also compares the two approaches, showing their similarities in supporting active and in-depth learning. These two approaches complement each other, with student-centered learning providing space for students to participate actively, while constructivism guides how students construct and understand knowledge in a more meaningful way. The implementation of these two approaches is expected to create a more dynamic and effective learning environment for developing students' critical and creative thinking skills.