By being a student-center instructor, you are more likely to find ways to effectively reach your students with the content of your course. Think like a student. If you are not interested in the subject, they will not be interested in the subject.
By being a student-centered instructor I make the student my top priority. Their learning is the reason for every handout, every assignment, and every lecture. Therefore, if a lecture or handout isn't working it will need to be changed. Also, a student-centered instructor will check in with the students on a regular basis and have real discussion about what pieces of the class are working for them and what pieces may not be. By working with the students and allowing them the opportunity to make suggestios they become invested in the class.
Kari,
Yes, our passion, enthusiasm, and upbeat approach to meeting students and engaging with them requires effort and energized attitude. I think students prefer this perception of their instructor, more than one that may be effective but comes across dull and uninteresting.
Barry Westling
Energy is the key to my success as if you are not energized, even at 7:00am in the morning you can not motivate your class to start the day off alert and ready to get started.
Dennis,
I agree. I think facilitating an activity is much more beneficial than being the talking-head provider of the information. Of course, I can always add my contributions to the discussion, or fill in missing information, but any time a student is involved in an independent, thought inducing activity will likely result in better retention of information and ultimately, increased learning.
Barry Westling
Being a student-centered instructor puts the focus on student learning. I believe students learn best by being involved in a "problem-solving" activity. I often put students into groups (usually of 3) to get them to interact with others to complete a task. They have to turn in the results of their group work and share with the class.
This not only gets students involved and active but it also replicates how work gets done in the world of business and industry. People often work together to accomplish what they need to do, whether it is writing a report, solving a business problem, or accomplishing routine tasks. Learning how to work together is immensely satisfying and pragmatic for students. The focus here is not on teacher as bringer of knowledge but on students are active members of a group attempting to work out a problem of some sort.
Diane,
I think instructrs who put their students first and work to assure successful student learning outcomes... are super-stars! Just being willing to adjust or modify preplanned time frames or lesson material to work individually with students often achieves tremendous results. It's surprising how little it takes but how few instructors will work individually with students.
Barry Westling
Being a student-centered instructor helps me stay more focused on my students' learning than on how well I think I am teaching. The primary goal is for the students to achieve successful learning outcomes, not for me to be a super-star instructor. This student-centered focus also helps me make adjustments to my teaching strategies rather than falling into the trap of blaming the students when they do not achieve successful learning outcomes.
Eddy,
For me, student centered means I am willing to alter my preplanned curriculm or daily objectives in order to meet the individual needs my students may need. It's like customizing the class to fit the students. Not always easy to to but a great goal to shoot for.
Barry Westling
By Eddy Mojena
By identifying my students skill set I'm able to teach and evolve the class so all my students can learn and work as one.
Anthony,
Whenever I can tailor my preplanned curriculum to accomodate a students individual learning needs, I feel like I have contributed positively to my role as instructor. Although not always expressed, students appreciate supportive instructors who give assistance when struggling, or just need extra help.
Barry Westling
Robert,
Great sentiment! Students are and should be first; somehow our busy professional work sometimes gets in the way. How could that be? I often repeat, "If students aren't learning, then I'm not teaching". In reality it takes our whole system working together to make a good learning environment, and that includes the students as a key component.
Barry Westling
Gauging your students' attention and reactions to your teaching is always important to see how you are doing as an instructor. The more responsive you are to your students, the better your lessons will be.
Daniel,
Great sentiment. When we care, students benefit and are motivated to perform at their best.
Barry Westling
I try to never forget that the reason I'm in front of the class in the first place is for the students. I have knowledge that they want and it's my job to pass it on as effectively as I can. The day I lose sight of that I will stop teaching!
If you realize that you are an instructor for the benefit and well being of the students, this should help you focus your attention more fully and directly in order to help the students. When you set your mind to assisting students and doing your best to make their learning experience a rich and rewarding one, your success as an instructor seems like a "given."
Kyle,
Right! It could be said that there is no teaching if learning is not occurring. Our mission is to all we can to reach our students in a meaningful and effective manner every day they are in our charge.
Barry Westling
I think it was a valuable point that students are not there to just enjoy our company...but to learn. If we it as LEARNING and not TEACHING we are better off. We also will be more successful if we view it as not just a job (something we fall back on or to stay in the field) but re-establish out priorities on the student.
Nancy,
That's a good observation, and a great rationale for student-centered learning. By being willing to personalize instruction, being flexible with our curriculum, adding new techniques, and looking at the class material from the students perspective is likely to yield better student outcomes.
Barry Westling
I think after you teach a particular class over and over again, you get set in your ways. It is then easy to lose focus on what the students may or may not be getting out of your class. If you pay attention to your students and become student-focused, you will be more likely to adapt and change your class with each new group of students.
