Throughout my courses, I ask for my students' input. I arrive early to class to speak with students. I ask them about things going on outside the classroom and inside the classroom. Throughout the semester, I ask the students to report on the progress of their assignments. I also ask the class if there is any clarity that is needed. I repeat the objective and purpose of semester long projects to make sure the students understand the assignment. I also ask the students at the beginning of the term what kind of projects they liked from past courses and what kind of project they would like to complete at the end of my course. I am always asking my students for input on assignments and classroom events. I want the students to feel empowered and involved because I believe an empowered and involved students is a successful student.
Nestor,
However we plan the delivery of instruction, reaching to students individually will assure we are able give full attention (along with intervention). I like your priority!
Barry Westling
my first priority is that my students understand where i'm coming from,and that i'm there for them.
But,first I have to understand were they are,and have a rapport with each students.
In that way I can gauge on how to go about the course study we are in,then we can have one on one orin group setting.power point with hands on or lecture and hands on.
Sean,
I like this sentiment. When we're student-centered, we are actually committing to seeing each student served with a more realistic opportunity for success.
Barry Westling
By allowing my students to communicate with me directly we will more quickly be able to overcome any obstacles we may have in the class room.
The students are he most important part of the education equation and ultimately why we are here.
Dorothea,
Great! Student-centered is really just focusing on student needs and taking a sincere interest in their successfulness. It seems to me that most instructors could potentially run their classes this way.
Barry Westling
Being a student centered instructor has been profitable to my students and myself. for my students, it lessens the distance between student and instructor and in so doing reduces anxiety and provides more room for learning. for myself it affords greater insight into the learning needs of each student.
cory,
Yeah, it's all about the students and their learning. Some do well with preplanned, by-the-book style instructional delivery. But many others need special attention to address their individual needs. Less experienced instructors are not sensitive to individual needs. But with time the value and benefit of working with students more personally is usually realized.
Barry Westling
Tim,
Great. Whenever an instructor is able to tailor their time, focus, or attention to individual students, they are providing a student-centered purpose. It's hard to imagine how a student coun't benefit from this extra layer of treatment.
Barry Westling
well, my knee-jerk response would be that the more favorably you are looked upon by your students, the more favorably you will be looked upon by your superiors, therefore securing your own employment...
but...
the eternal student within me says that if I pay attention to what's up with my students, the more I will personally learn and gain, and, well, selfish or not; if I'm not learning new stuff all the time...it's time to move on
A student-centered approach to teaching really helps focus on the course outcomes. What are the students there to learn? If an instructor stays focused on the students learning process toward the learning objectives they are able to adapt their approach to suit each student's learning style/preference.
Katherine,
Really, any activity we do that focuses on individual student performance is a version of being student centered. Formalizing and consistently practicing these activities will ultimately make for better student outcomes.
Barry Westling
I agree plus the students usually have some experiences to share that will help others.I put the outline for the day or instructions for what we are doing on the board at the beginning of class. I have time set up in beginning and end that I ask "does everyone understand, have any concerns" .They know they can now come to me before or after class or even send me an email.
Ann marie,
Yes, these are probable outcomes when an instructor becomes a student centered instructor in their thinking.
Barry Westling
Being a student-centered instructors, helps the instructor focus on what the student is learning how they are learning and how they can use the learning.
Curtis,
Right! Student centered puts the attention to student learning and their needs as much as our planned, prepared methods for instructional delivery.
Barry Westling
the students are what our job is all about ! leting students know you are concerned about their success make the job much easier and productive .
Paul,
A good point. Having a student centered mindset means that we have to be willing to give up something, perhaps time, or a way we had planned to do something, or alter what we think is important for the benfefit of the student(s). It's like what is their need vs what is our need to do things a certain, predetermined way. Reaching out to our students to understand where we can help them and then following through with that help labels us student centered.
Barry Westling
I just dropped out of an online MLIS course because the instructors were not student centered. The instructors were grad students who acted like they got stuck teaching this course. They did not teach us but spent the class time explaining to us what they knew. They were not conveying information they were showing off. Student-centered teaching is an ego-less endeavor. We need to be prepared to train the student beyond our own skill level. Meaning that when one of my student’s graduates I want them to surpass me in my field. If my success is based on the student’s success in the field then this is student-centered teaching.
Wendi ,
These are good activities. Student-centered instructors try to reach each student by understanding the students individual learning needs and then creating specific methods that cater to the their special learning needs. An specifioc action plan that is specific to a studuent is a good example.
Barry Westling
