Student-Centred Learning and Assessment: An Approach to Mitigate Students’ Academic Stress.

Abstract

Universities play a key role in the education system, encouraging research, innovation, the growth of character, and instilling a sense of professionalism in students. Through organized teaching and learning procedures used in universities, education acts as a catalyst for the acquisition of information, values, and virtues during the formative years of adulthood. Long-standing traditions perpetuated in educational institutions serve as the cornerstone of the conventional educational system. For those who like face-to-face instruction, direct interaction with professors and lecturers, and involvement in student organizations, the traditional educational approach has a value. The limitations in access to virtual learning platforms, the requirement for physical presence, and the lack of exposure to real-world situations are all practical downsides of the traditional approach. The Student-Centered Learning (SCL) technique, which allows students to take control of their learning by choosing what they study and how they learn it, stands as a progressive alternative to the traditional approach in the field of education. Voice, choice, competency-based development, and ongoing assessment of each student's needs are the four main tenets of the SCL framework. Incorporating SCL and evaluation pedagogies is the main emphasis of this study to reduce student stress and boost performance. This study made the following hypothesis: by integrating student-centered pedagogy into the learning and evaluation of course modules, students' academic stress would be reduced, and their attitudes would be improved, leading to higher results. This concept suggests restructuring course modules for SCL, which involves reordering content, diversifying resources, and embracing project-based and collaborative learning. Performance in SCL in two semesters will be compared to traditional ones, measuring learning outcomes. Additionally, surveys will be conducted to compare student attitudes and stress levels in both approaches. This holistic study will demonstrate how SCL empowers students, improving their educational journey and reducing stress while enhancing performance, ultimately redefining teaching and learning methodologies.