Tom,
great work. Many times it is the little things that motivate students. We might not think so.
Renee Shaffer
Critical thinking is the goal. The challenge is achieving that goal (and measuring it).
Student-centered learning is the best for adult learners, self-motivated, with at least some life/career experience, and a goal for their education. While this seems obvious, many of the above factors can be lacking in the online student population today to which more pedagogical methods may be appropriate.
Student learning is the only way to go. Having been a traditional instructor for 40 years and now an online instructor for 8 years, I would never go back to the traditional method.
One of the things I most enjoy about teaching is the interaction with the students. Being a criminal justice professor, it is important that we have open communication about the topics that are taught within my field. Often some of the concepts are confusing, or just hard to contemplate, and need further explanation. It is nice to hear that ah-ha moments where the student gets the concept, and understand the material. I believe interaction is key to learning.
I believe this can be very positive for the student. I like the idea of having the options of trying many ways to incorporate active learning in the online environment. It allows the instructor to keep the student engaged in the material, and challenges them. However, I do see students that really do not want to do the work that goes into this to be successful. It often seems to be one excuse after another, and they seem to lack motivation. I can see how this can be a drawback as Renee offered earlier in the conversation.
I like the student-centered learning approach becasue it takes the student's learning needs into consideration. I used some adaptive learning methods and it motivates students. I have used group projects, discussion board, live chat interaction, and instant messaging service. Thanks, Tom
Shawn,
I like the way that you suggested that students "reignite" the passion for learning. Some don't seem to have ever had it, for for those who have had it, let's work on helping the reignition process.
Renee Shaffer
I believe the student-centered approach is so much more effective, not only for fostering student engagement, but also as a means of stimulating a desire to learn. One of the challenges I've witnessed in higher education is a lack of inquisitiveness in the students... too often the students just want to know what the answers are so they can just memorize them for the test. This mentality robs the students of the joy of learning and the passion to grow. But the student-centered approach creates an environment in which the student can reignite that passion. It offers the students more autonomy in the learning process and frees them to pursue knowledge and understanding in ways that "speak" to them. This approach has changed the way I understand education and has definitely opened my eyes to student learning.
Robert,
Oh yes, Eric Erikson. Hadn't thought about him in a while. I also believe that the students has to grant "permission to change" in their learning.
Renee Shaffer
I have taught online clinical and non-clinical healthcare courses for the past ten years. As I studied clinical psychology at UC Berkeley we had the honor of having Eric Erikson as a professor on therapeutic change. He posed the question at the start of the course “what is therapyâ€. We were allowed to openly discuss this among ourselves while Dr. Erikson listened. Wanting to impress him we talked about transference, cognitive dissonance, and a variety of other ‘high brow’ terms and concepts. At the end of 30 minutes Dr. Erikson said the answer was in the class. Therapy is giving a patient permission to change. That is precisely what the students, including myself, felt with this simple lesson. He gave all of us permission to change through our reflections and discussion. This simple yet elegant comment of Dr. Erikson has guided by practice throughout the years.
I'm also a clinical psychologist who graduated from UC Berkeley. We had Eric Erikson for a course on therapeutic change. He said therapy is granting a patient 'permission to change'. This stayed with me throughout my career. The same can be said for facilitators and learners. We suggest essential information and encourage students to assemble it in various and personal ways.
I teach clinical and non clinical healthcare to graduates.
Joe,
yes, students should enroll in courses that match their personality, etc. but that is getting harder and harder to do now.
Renee Shaffer
I agree with the customer theory. I also think that online learning is most effective when student centered/driven. This is why it is not always the best fit for all students. As instructors though we can begin to recognize which students are more comfortable at this modality. Then focus on the students struggling.
Anita,
Good points. Sometimes though it is difficult to mentor the student along the way or make sure that they are engaged. But we try!
Renee Shaffer
I feel that student centered learning is good approach which places the learning responsibility on the student. It is important for the instructor to monitor and mentor the student along the way. Also, it is important for the instructor to make sure that students are engaged in the classroom.
Well, I feel that this is the way that we also approach the overall sense of the customer service environment of a successful business, so there needs to be this existing culture, if not, retention will be poor. we must understand that we do have a challenging group of students that do need a bit of attention and service from the instructor. this e instructors who do not go with this model, may most likely not have a highly successful (long term student population). Naturally it is not what we expected when comparing to a traditional classroom of prior times, however, it is the modern reality that needs to occur.
Janis: In tody's educational process sometimes the school is more concerned with the $ than the outcome of the students.
For years I have been telling students in my class that I cannot teach them anything. I use the old quote: You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink". I inform students that my job is to get you to the water, it is their job to learn how to drink it. It becomes difficult at times, but I think that the "Digital Natives" have less problems with that concept due to the amount of information they have at theri finger tips!
Andrew,
Yes, I truly believe that we must force the issue. The students won't "go there" on their own.
Renee Shaffer
