All instructors should be student-centered. What that means to me is that the students' learning comes first and that means using whatever means it takes to get them to the point where they know the material. Each class is different, and it is important to recognize that, and change one's methods to do whatever they need.
Being student-centered will help me as an instructor to be aware of my students' strengthens and struggles. Student-centeredness also helps me to be able to develop students' knowledge of the subject and to apply problem-solving solutions in real life situations. Not being student centered hinders true teaching success because the instructor does not and cannot understand his/her students needs and how to help the students become more developed in the course and prepared for a their careers.
Being a student-centered instructor allows youto explore the needs and wants of the students. If you getto know the students and their expectations for the class and the career, you will be more successful in delivering the information needed for them to succeed.
Hi Danielle,
Yes, and when we begin seeking ways to indiviulaize instruction to insure student retention, learning outcomes will improve and students will benefit by our attention and focus to their needs.
Barry Westling
It will focus my lesson perspective on the information and materials needed for the student learners to meet their objectives and give them the knowledge base and confidence to meet the objectives of the course/school.
Hi Shantel,
That's great you're so sensitive to individual needs. That's very important. And I think when a student feels you care by getting to know them, they'll be more open to your instruction. It helps get them relaxed! We learn better in this setting.
Barry Westling
I am a lab instructor and I teach students individully. From pass experience I have learned that I have to be adaptable and flexable the way I approch the topic according to each student's learning style in order to be successful in teaching.
I found it is helpful to know about each student's back ground and use an example related to what they are familiar with. Also, if the student is a left-handed person I demonstrate an insturment with my left hand (being a righthanded person it was very awkward to me but I am getting better at it :) for the student. It is easier for the left-handed student to copy after me and also helps me to have sympathy and patience toward the student.
Hi Michael,
Great. Some days are really horrible, yet others can end feeling immenseley fulfilled. I work in a medical profession and the feeling is sort of the same when I feel I contributed in some small way to a patient's well being. Same for students. Especially when they're appreciative. But even if not, when a class has been successful and feel things went well, that's what keeps a teacher going back to work every day!
Barry Westling
When I started my job as an instructor it was just that, a job. But now I feel the same way you do. It really is a good feeling to be centered in on a class and be able to tune your teaching style to help the struggling student succeed.
Hi Alissa,
Opitimized learning - what a great term! That's really at the core of student centered learning.
Barry Westling
By being a student-centered instructor, I put the students educational needs at the top of my priority list when preparing for class. From showing up organized and prepared to class management, these reasons and all of the ones in between are considered to optimize the students learning.
Hi Yuliya:
One thing that might work well is for the instructor to always ask themselves "what outcome to I want for this student"? This can help identify the needs of that student.
Regards, Barry
Karen,
Right! It's sometimes difficult to employ the student-centered principle as learning outcomes, time, or access to needed resources are not always available or convenient. But anything good is going to require effort, and the payoff for us is to the great benefit to the students.
Barry Westling
It is important to focus on the student's need. In doing so, you must get to know the student. Building rapport with the students will help achieve this. Bringing your personality in to the classroom and getting the students involved in activities is a way to acheive this quicker. As teachers, it is important to remember this class is not about up but what we bring to the students to help them succeed.
Michael,
Good comment. When we can individualize our time and energies on specific student needs, all will benefit. Sensing when students need more time, a different explanation, another activity to reinforce learning - these are traits of being student centered.
Barry Westling
Being a Student-Centered Instructor puts into perspective why we became an instructor in the first place (that is if you are not just doing this for a job). To me I became an instructor to pass on my knowledge to the future of the industry, I don’t get to pick and choose which students I want to teach, just because some are easier than others. My job as an instructor is to try to pass on my experience and expertise to all that come into my classroom. To me Student-Centered means adjusting my teaching style in order to teach ALL students.
Dona,
Great! Personalizing instruction just makes learning more fun and effective, and that's essentially what being student-centered is all about.
Regards, Barry
Being student centered will help me better "see the course from the students' perspective". By stepping outside my own perspective I will be able to more critically assess my teaching and make adjustments to improve my teaching effectiveness.
Hi Crissia,
Great! I think when whenever we can personalize the learning experience by customizing or individualizing a specfic student need, the outcome will be better in nearly all cases.
Teaching really is all about the students. By definition, our goal as an instructor is to impart knowledge to the students. Not all students learn in the same ways or at the same pace. While you need to hold to the assigned goals and deadlines of a class, you can’t force all students into the same cookie cutter mold and expect them to succeed. Some students learn better visually or hands on, some need encouragement to speak up and some need to learn when to listen. You get much better results if you observe and adapt your approach to those you are teaching. In my opinion, student-centered instructors have success in teaching because the focus is on making sure the students are learning and not just in presenting the information or getting through the class.
