FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What is characterized by a shift in responsibility for learning from the teacher to the student?

1. Project-based learning

2. Individualized instruction

3. Cooperative learning

4. Simulations

The correct answer is: Individualized instruction

The transition of responsibility for learning from the teacher to the student is fundamentally linked to individualized instruction. This approach emphasizes tailoring the educational experience to meet each student's unique needs, preferences, and learning paces. In this model, students often take more ownership of their learning, engaging actively in setting personal goals, selecting resources, and determining the methods through which they acquire knowledge. By empowering students in this way, individualized instruction encourages self-directed learning, where learners are more invested in their educational journey. This shift fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as students are challenged to make decisions about their learning process rather than passively receiving information from the teacher. While other options mentioned may include some elements where students take responsibility — such as project-based learning, which also promotes student agency through real-world applications, or cooperative learning, which relies on group dynamics to encourage shared responsibility — the core principle of individualized instruction distinctly focuses on the student as the primary agent in their own learning experience. Simulations can also provide opportunities for active engagement but typically do not emphasize a shift in responsibility as fundamentally as individualized instruction does.