Hi Nicole:
All very good attributes that describe student centered teachers. How it's done is multifacited. The real key is the shift from being institutional or curriculum based to student-based in focus, attention, and effort. Are we there to teach our curriculum, or are we there to assure the student learns? That's the difference.
Of course we have to follow the course objectives, but how we do that defines the amount of "shift" a teacher is able to modify for the student to become the center of focus.
Regards, Barry
Hi Kimberly:
Respect does come, almost as a side effect of just caring and showing genuine care and concern for students. I think they can sense when the teacher is really trying to help, and they'll appreciate that. There are many faces to student-centered learning.
Regards, Barry
When you are student centered your student will respect you and learn alot. when your students are put first they feel that you care about them and their success. after all that is the end goal their success
Being a student-centered instructor will help you be successful in the classroom for many reasons. First, it will engage all students in their classroom learning. You will be able to address more than one student learning style. It will make the class more interesting for the students, and you will be more aware of changes that you may need to make in the classroom. I think it will make you more of a "present" figure in your classroom. The student's will have more respect for you because they know that you care about their success.
Hi Tony:
To me student centered means changing the focus of instruction from "my curriculum and plans" to "how can I best teach these students what they need" even if that means deviating from standard curriculum. Student centered vs. institutional or curriculm centered.
Regards, Barry
Joseph:
Well, in carpentry, this kind of thing happens all the time. What I mean is they will cut, sand, bend, twist, whatever task is needed to get the parts to fit. I think that's a lot like customizing our efforts to get the student the knowledge they need, even if it means deviating some from what the curriculum states should occur.
Regards, Barry
It is all about student success.
Cynthia:
GReat approach to reaching out to your students. When they are the focus (vs "our curriculum") they will benefit more.
Regards, Barry
Knowing and understanding each student, their learning style, etc. allows the instructor to establish a meaningful rapport with the students. It will then be possible to engage the student in meaningful discussion of any difficulties, problems, they may be experiencing. By "connecting" with my students at a personal but professional level, I will establish my interest in their success and willingness to work with them.
Being the Director of Training at my campus I have found that teachers who are interested in the students personality goals and aspirations are much more successful in relaying a course. Primarily if you do not show respect and an interest in your students it will be refelected in their comprehension of the course material. Grades and retention will be low.
Isn't it challenging to balance your personal style in which you are most effective with different student learning styles? At times I've felt I've compromised the overall quality and consistency of my instruction to tailor the instruction to student nuances.
Hi Choppy:
Good student cenetered teacher certainly do one thing you're doing - that's being there for them, supervising, advising, suggesting, correcting. Having students get hands on with an experienced teacher beside them is a great example of student centerd learning because the student is the focus - the teacher is just facilitating.
Regards, Barry
I give the information to the students that they need to succeed, then show them how it is done, then let them do the project while observing and instructing.This has been working well for me and the students.
Hi Brent:
Respecting and valuing every student can only result in a better learning envirnonment becasue the students realize we're there for them. They trust.
Regards, Barry
I believe student centered instruction accomplishes a number of issues. I draw heavily from Stephen Brookefield (guess that makes me a Socratic type?) and through this I find
a. students are respect you more as the see you respect them and their experiences
b. students learn to interrogate their own preconceived notions and ideologies about how the world works
c. through a periodic assessment process, you can not only revise your approach to engage students but by implementing suggestions, you show that their input and concerns are valued.
Brookefield is an excellent author and his pedagogical approach, I believe, is the best thing going right now-I have had great success with his discussion style approach.
Hi Anthony:
Good points. To me student centered puts the focus on assuring we are doing everything we can to achieve learning by our students. Almost every class we have has learning objectives. Many classes will also have student learning outcomes. See, all the focus is on learning, not about teaching.
Of course, as teachers, we have to follow an organized process. Student centered might require we modify our curriculum, use different and varied media, or approach instruction from the perspective of our students. It's interesting that engaging students and getting them involved in their own learning produces the best retention of information.
Regards, Barry
As a chef we think training is the same as teaching. However, we need to understand that we are now educators. Students are coming to us to learn about our profession and what it takes to become successful and compete in the culinary field. We need to learn that training is only part of the educational process. Sometimes we feel that we know what's best for them and what they need to learn. We need to not show them how to, but explain to them why as well. Knowing why will enhance their learning and education. I remember reading somewhere that training is not education, and education is not training.
Hi Shane:
I certainly agree that being sensitive to the student's attention and comprehension is an aspect of student centered instruction.
We want to be able to "reach and teach" to all our students. We may need to vary the way we deliver the course, alter the media we've chosen, consider using different or additional resources, modify our testing and assessment, or tweak our lesson plans to keep aligned with where the students are tracking.
These are just a few examples where student performance can be improved through focusing on their learning rather than focusing on our teaching. Ultimately these two must come together, and be balanced.
Regards, Barry
Hi John:
Yeah, it's great when our efforts pan out in the right direction. And that's more likely to happen when we are willing to adjust our curriculum or lesson plans in order to better meet our studenmts needs to assist them succeding in class. Of course we still need to meet the course objectives and stutdent learning outcomes. But there are many ways to deliver our lessons and still meet the objectives. When we connect with the student, we are practicing student centered learning.
Regards, Barry
An awareness of your students' intentions can usually give the instructor an idea of how to present the course in a suitable way. Stop from time to time and be ready to answer any faces that seem to have questions so your students will sense that the flow of the course just right for them. I think that is the best way to let your students know that you are running the class with care, and not just completing a routine task.
