The Learner-Centred Status of a Brazilian University Coach Education Program

Previous research has suggested a shift from instructor-centred to learner-centred approaches in an attempt to improve coach education programs. To implement such crucial change it is essential to master the 'new language' and better understand educational contexts. The purposes of this article are to ( a) highlight new social factors indicating an urgent need to change, (b) present a learner-centred framework based on the work of a recognized group of researchers (i.e., Blumberg, Cullen, Harris, and Weimer), and (c) analyse the learner-centeredness of a Bachelor in Physical Education program, especially with respect to its sport performance area. Based on the social factors explored throughout the text and the learner centred principles, results showed inconsistencies between the conceptual orientations mentioned in the 'official documents' and the teaching processes used in the Bachelor program. Recommendations for higher education leaders and instructors are explored.