1. an educational technique in which skill-specific sets of activities are developed for students to work on independently at their own pace for a particular length of classroom time during each school day. For example, a kindergarten teacher may create a center for counting, where students color shapes numbered 1 through 10 and then glue them in sequence onto a piece of construction paper; a center for vocabulary, where students illustrate their own personal dictionaries with pictures that correspond to the words; and a center for fine motor skills, where students trace an animal from a pattern and then cut out and decorate it. During learning center time, students are divided into small groups that each have a different task to complete, with the tasks periodically rotating among the groups. Commonly seen in the elementary-school grades, such self-directed learning is intended to demonstrate or strengthen skills with which students already are familiar rather than to facilitate the acquisition of new skills.

2. more generally, any educational establishment or program that facilitates students’ acquisition of knowledge or understanding of topics by providing additional support and personalized instruction outside of regular school hours. Learning centers may be government funded or privately funded, and they may be offered within existing community or educational facilities, in stand-alone facilities, or online. They serve a range of ages and populations, such as gifted children; adolescents with learning disabilities, emotional difficulties, or behavioral problems; and adult professionals seeking further training. The specific tools and materials available vary by facility or program but generally include enrichment and recreational activities, tutoring, computer and Internet practice, counseling, and other services. Also called learning support center.