Hi Kim:
You are describing the concept of flexibility here so well, one of the hallmark components of being a student-centered instructor.
Regards, Barry
Hi Sara:
I like what you're talking about here which is essentially the concept of flexibility. This would be one of the more important traits of what it is to be a student centered instructor.
Regards, Barry
Hi Beth:
That's a great word you used to describe this concept: to "care about the student".
If we are mindful of this, and are genuine about it, the student will feel this, and be open to almost anything you want to impart to them.
Regards, Barry
Hi Rosalie:
This is all good and true. But what is student centered learning? One thing we might say about this question is that it involves always keeping the student's best interests in mind when preparing lesson plans, performing evaluations, and interacting with them in the learning environment.
Regards, Barry
Hi Timothy:
So being a student centered instructor means that we continuously keep their long-term interests in mind, and try to make changes in our teaching style to be more effective for them.
Regards, Barry
This is so true. Although the end result should be similar across the board and course curriculums should be met, the instructor needs to be flexible enough to understand each student's learning pace and abilities then proceed in a manner as to accommodate same.
It is just too boring for the students to be 'lectured to'. Incorporation of their ideas/experiences help lead them to feeling more confident and comfortable to ask questions. It creates a 'safer' environment for open discussion.
Hi William:
Ypu're right, there could be numerous meanings.
In the classroom setting (the focus of this module), I believe student centered to be those activities, lessons, actions, and plans that attempt to reach the student where s/he is at, rather than force a student to conform to my inflexible curriculum and plan. Of course we need to cover our course objectives. But we know that students learn differnt ways. So, putting the focus on the individual student in order to teach them in a way they can relate to is one approach to being student centered.
Another definition that's related is activities that allow the student to participate and guide their learning independently. In a way, both these methods could be merged for effective student outcomes.
Regards, Barry
Depends on what is meant by being "student-centered". Modeling the real world by expecting students to adapt to your style of teaching (analogous to expecting an employee to adapt to your way of doing business) may not seem "student-centered" but is an appropriate life skill to teach students. The idea that you need to adapt your teaching style to your students sounds good but can be impractical and is also somewhat unrealistic. Good teachers find how to teach well using the style that works best for them and will motivate their students to adapt to them.
Hi Arlene:
Good example. For me, I think being willing to individualize my prepared cuuriculum to accomodate a student is a great example of student centered leaning. Of course I have course objectives to be met. But understanding students learn different ways, the more flexible I am, the student centered I have become.
Regards, Barry
Students respond when they feel the instructor is interested in them, not only their education but them as a person. Don't we all respond to others in that same way? If an instructor IS interested in their students as people it will also strengthen student attendance which, in turn, should lead to higher academic success.
Karen
Hi Derbe:
Great commentary. For me, I think student centered puts the emphasis on the students needs over my preplanned curricular plans and methods. It's like stating " curriculum-based vs student based" in terms of how the designated content will be delivered. Of course the basic content of the class has to be covered. But just as each student is different, so should the approach to teaching be individualized (as much as possible).
Regards, Barry
Hi Barbara:
Good point. As a facilitator, the teacher can modify the lesson plan to accomodate individuyal student learning needs.
Regards, Barry
Understanding the student is a starting point for an instructor. What does a student know about my subject? How much must the student know by the end of term? That is the route we will navigate. I have a different route for each student in the class. Parts of the routes coincide.
The biggest difficulty is when the student isn't providing much power toward traveling the route. Motivating the student to participate in his/her learning is the challenge.
Hi Donald:
For me, student centered suggests I am willing to individualize my instruction and intewract with the student at the level they're at when I get them. Sure, there is course content that has to be covered, but there are many ways to achieve that. It knd of comes down to "my curriculum, my way, vs. student learning at thier level. Thae latter is likely to have more lasting significance.
Regards, Barry
Being a student-centered instructor allows me to be a facilitator and not the "center of the stage".
The focus needs to be placed upon the students. We are there to present the material, but the students run with it. Group discussions, team projects and assignments set the stage for application of theory and determination of relevance.
To me, being student-centered means I am much more confortable with myself and my role in the classroom. I no longer wonder how I am doing or coming across, I am watching and reacting to how the students are performing. Much like the stills in driving a car. I know how it should feel and sound so all I need to do is make small adjustmnts in direction or speed while enjoying the view and the flow.
Hi Mr. Westling,
That is excellent question!
Being a student-centered helps. Instructors should first understand the students individually and as a group in order to come up with strategies that create effective raport. Once you have rapport, instruct in terms of their interest.
Do not coerce any instruction upon them for they may resist it. Try to explain first WHY and HOW your instruction can help them. Respecting and valuing their effort is another thing. Do not do to them what you do not like done to you. My self, I will die for someone who GENUINLY respects me, tells me HOW and WHY something can help me, VALUES my effort and achievement and try to talk to me (not talk about me).
Using such methods and my personal communication skill, I managed to make some of my students who at first hated Math like it afterwards.
I have found that often times instructors forget, or maybe were not told to begin with, that we are here to serve the students. They become very centered on teaching rather than the students learning. New instructors spend a lot of time trying to learn how to teach. Then by the time they have learned how to teach they have gotten into a routine which may or may not focus on the students learning the material. I have always strived to learn every students name within the first days of class. I greet them by name (Mr. or Ms. or Mrs. so and so) every day. To me it shows respect to them as an individual. I try at some point in a class (or at least within two class periods) to speak to each one of them personally. Whether it's the student that's struggling or the straight A student, I feel they all deserve a little of my time. I tend to keep pretty strict rules in my class, but I counter that by giving the attention that the students want and need, both during and after class.
Allowing the students to be the center of the experiences that take place in the classroom is really what teaching is all about. We all know that as individuals in a society, none of us are "cookie cutter" individuals; the same understanding applies in terms of how we should approach our classes - a group of individuals who each have their own set up needs, strengths, perspectives, goals, and challenges. Creating a learning environment that is centered upon them as both students and as individuals allows us to better understand them, and thereby direct our lesson plans and teaching strategies to them in a way that's most effective and meaningful. The students are, in fact, our priority in the classroom, so all that we do as educators should be geared toward that simple ideal.
