Hands-on and Minds-on Students?

In UbD the author is constantly suggesting that a learner centered method is much more coherent with engaging and effective learning.  Such suggestion caught my attention and led me to reflect on how much autonomy have my students been given in order to NOW make them work and experience on their  own, and only with the little help from the teacher. After trying a couple of times to work in a less teacher centered method, I realize my student have ZERO authonomy, which worries my a lot.  I also realize they are completely dependent of my instructions, my knowledge, my advices, and even my presence.  Thus, it would be impossible to change from one day to another,.  Moreover, I believe the change has to begin Now in order to see the results in next generations. Now, who gives autonomy to teacher who have also been brought up with a strong submition to authorities? I have mentioned several times,  and I do not have any idea on how to make changes possible if teachers do not change....

Here you have some.... FACTS!

... " To "get" a fact requieres only that we grasp the meaning of the words or see the data. To "get" an understanding requires more: Even after the meanings of all the words or data are clear, we maynot get their significance. We have to ask questions about the facts, connect them to other facts, and try to apply them in various situations..."

 We are all clear that we need to transfer our students "understandings" in order to get them develop their critical thinking and creativity, and not only learning by heart facts about a determined content. However, How much of that do we do in our classes? how much of that happenned when we were students? We weren´t educated in constructivist classrooms, hence if we are able Now to discuss and critisize the understandings given to us is because we have learnt paying high prices.
It's true, fortunately, now we have been applying some constructivist concepts and ideas that have improved our education, however there is a lot that remains unsolved.  The same as with Essential Questions, getting our students to get an understanding becomes harder to teachers who are strongly structured  with the old habits of learning facts by heart without questioning, expanding or suggesting. 

Thus, again, the change is is on us.