Adding intelligence to a learning environment: learner-centred design?

The development of a specific learning environment into an intelligent lear ning environment (switchER II) is used as the basis of a discussion about t he nature of 'learner-centred design' - an approach which is contrasted wit h user-centred design, and is being advocated as an important move in the d evelopment of effective educational computing systems. An analysis of the n otion of learner-centred design leads to the need to develop appropriate me thodologies to support learner-centred design, to ensure that individual di fferences are respected, and that Artificial Intelligence techniques are ap plied appropriately.