The purpose of being an instructor is to convey knowledge and the application of that knowledge. By being a student-centered instructor you are focusing your energies on the intended audience. The knowledge and skills you are conveying as the instructor are focused on the needs of your students. This creates a dynamic learning environment that inspires students to learn as well as instructors to teach.
Hi Gilbert:
Group discussions are wonderful, and made even better when used in a blended learning environment that includes multiple resources and media to provide the curricular topics. When combined, an optimal learning environment exists.
Regards, Barry
Hi Kenya:
For me, student centered simply is an approach that gives permission for the teacher to individualize instruction to some degree. The that adjustment relates to the specific ways different students learn. It's like using our curriculum in the best way to assure students learn, rather than following a more rigid scripted process.
Regards, Barry
Yes you are right, if it were not for the students we would not have a job which some instructors may tend to forget.With a student centered atmoshere you are the conductor as a teacher and in an adult career focused leraning environment the challenge is to bring them up to speed with the material that they will use on the job.This can be done by implementing an environment based on participation in groups to complete learning objectives,
Hi Susan:
I like that approach...direction. Most all our courses have objectives and outlines, whole curriculum that is just dandy. But if students don't learn from that, then we've missed the mark.
So, for me, student centered is really individualizing instruction as much as possible to assist and achieve full performance by all students. The key is to be willing to get off track from the main curriculum if that's what it takes to get the student to learn.
Regards, Barry
It gives your teaching a direction. When you purposelly conduct your teaching with th eobjective of the outcome of the student it helps with your success and their success. In adult educatioin the instructor must be a student centered intstructor realizing that each student is different and that each student learn differently therefore adjusting your teaching style to each student can ensure success.
Hi John:
Continuous improvement will always help benefit our students.
Student centered can be very comprehensive or simple. Basically, the idea is to use our resources, curriculium, and abilities to tailor student learning to benefit the student. In other words, rather than the student following our predetermined plan, student centered develops a plan using the resources we have available. It's about learning, vs grades, points, and tests.
Regards, Barry
By understanding the differenty students and different learning styles, the instructor can better adapt course materials, presentations and assessments to the course. By constantly being in tune with the student population make-up, the instructor can best make adjustments and fine-tune all aspects of the course.
I think being a student centered instructor will help me be a successful instructor, by providing practical guidelines for me to follow, techniques to use for presentation delivery, and different skills to be an effective instructor.
Hi Charles:
Individual focus definitely defines a vital component of student centered learning environment.
Regards, Barry
Focusing on strengths and identifying weaknesses allows one to improve teaching day by day, moment by moment.
Hello,
Focusing on our students helps gain insight to the individual needs - so we can help guide them - to overcome there obsticles in learning!
Thanks,
CJS
Hi Aylee:
For me, what student center means is a change in focus from my plans, my way, to what is the best way for these students to learn. Sometimes, this means changing the curriculum, activities, or methods previously used. It really provides the teacher an opportunity to be creative with their classes too.
The teacher knowes the content. So, being student centered is thinking about how to transfer what the teacher has to the students. And there are really many ways to do that. In all, it's great when the teacher can make the class interesting and active because the students will feel mit's more enjoyable and they'll probably retain more information, too!
Regards, Barry
Being a student-centered instructor will help me to have success in teaching because my students will be able to enjoy learning the subject taught better and appreciate a caring teaching approach by the teacher.
You're right, the shift is the key -- it's difficult, but it's rewarding.
Hi Victoria:
To me, student centered takes the focus away from my plans to do things a certain way, and refocus on what will work best to teach the student fo improve retention and performance. I suppose there multiples of methods, but the shift in focus is what makes the difference.
Regards, Barry
I find that when I'm student-centered, I'm more attuned to whether or not the needed skills are actually being developed.
Hi Donna,
I whole heartedly agree that class size has a big impact for both student and instructor. I feel fortunate in that I had been assigned a small class this has allowed for better discussion between students of topic information. We are often able to build a greater understanding of the material by comparing experiences that some students may be reluctant to share in a larger class setting.
Hi Eric:
It makes sense that more individual contact can make for more meaningful learning. So how can we achieve similar results with larger groups? We just need to apply the same way of approching the class.
Student centered is not complicated. In a way, it's just an attitude. Substituting our "teaching" vs the students "learning". If no learning occurs, we could argue that teaching has not occured. So, we get creative with individualizing lessons and activities as much as possible. We try to think how best can we convey the learning message? We might have to make adjustments, or take extra time for lengthier discussions, or allow time for individiual student presentation. These activities involve engaing the student, and when we do that, the student receives a better learning experience.
Regards, Barry
I know when I teach different sizes of classes that when they are smaller you do get to spend more time with the students and they learn better, they can see easier as they get closer view of demos that we do. You get to see how they perform their work and help with all the small details.
