A teacher-centered approach to education is characterized by a low level of student input, little interaction between students and the unquestioned authority of the teacher. A student-centered approach, on the other hand, promotes a high level of student engagement, interaction between students and independent learning.
Because practical nursing requires hands-on learning--such as clinical surgical experience or clinical pediatric care--it is arguably more conducive to a student-centered approach.
One study conducted by Cindy Kohtz at Illinois State University in 2006 found that practical nursing instructors from various nursing backgrounds and various education levels were far more predisposed to a teacher-centered approach to nursing education. While they exhibited some enthusiasm for a student-centered approach--including an interest in facilitating independent learning--lecture was found to be the most common teaching method among nursing instructors. Lecture is very closely associated with a teacher-centered approach.
Instructors also saw their students as having a low level of self-determination, which they attributed to immaturity and a preoccupation with personal issues. However, many commentators claim that implementing a student-centered approach to learning will foster positive associations with learning and increased academic performance. For example, studies by Hall and Saunders (1997) found that student-centered approaches to learning resulted in better study habits.