Being a student-centered instructor
How will being a student-centered instructor help you to have success in teaching?
By understanding the complexities of the student as it relates to my classroom.
Aleatha,
Sure, like our kids, each is different, and their needs differ as well.
Barry Westling
I believe that most most students will relate and be more eager to learn if the course is taught by using practical applications. When students are more involved in the learning process you hold their attention and they feel like it's all about them.
John,
Great attitude and principle to live by.
Barry Westling
Being student-centered, especially in a corporate educational setting such as Sanford Brown, is merely providing excellent customer service. While my paycheck may come from my employer, that reward is based on my ability to make each student/customer feel as if we are "in this together". More specifically, the student already joined the team, much as a customer does when it begins buying a product or service, and it actually comes down to me to prove I am on the same team. A large part of my experience as an instructor stems from martial arts training where rank does not allow an instructor to place him or herself above anyone else. It simply marks one's role in the overall goal and mission of the school. If anything, rank obligates one to lead others. All of us are students. All of us are on the same team.
Robin,
Engagement produces more creative thought, and participation leads to better lesson material retention.
Barry Westling
Jessie,
You are right! Without engagement, students are just not going to get all they need from the "feed me" method of delivery alone.
Barry Westling
I feel when you center your instruction on the student, you give more of your ideas, course knowledge, working in the field knowledge, teaching the student what they will actually be doing when they enter the field they have studied.
The days of being a teacher-focused instructor are over! Instructors need to develop lessons and assignments in which the students are the focus. When instructors involve the learning styles and student interests in the lesson, students become more engaged and are motivated to learn more.
Earl,
Great! By being sensitive to the mood and flow of the class, we have a greater opportunity to meet both individual and class needs, as we're willing to make adjustments in our instructional plan.
Barry Westling
I agree. Because the students are paying for their education they do expect more from the instructor. I try to be ahead of their expectations by paying close attention to the student's reaction and attitudes towards lecture or lab assignments. I offer help and hands on examples and jump right in when I sense struggle or confusion. Students tend to feel more comfortable and are more engaged.
Glenn,
True, and I have rarely found a student who could not benefit from my attention.
Barry Westling
Bernadette,
I think any time we ask a student a question, we are engaging them. Sometimes they way a question is asked determines the way it is answered.
Barry Westling
Unfortunately, it's often difficult to engage students in regular effective discussions during a college math course.
Just as in any business, the students are our customers, and if you make the effort to know your students(customers) then you can provide the service that best fits their particular needs, which normally results in a win-win for both student and instructor.
Jennifer,
Just like our kids, every students needs and abilities vary slightly to greatly. Discerning where our students are, and catering to their individual needs not only assists them with technical material, but encourages them and contributes to the sense that their instructor care about their success.
Barry Westling
Being a student-centered instructor means being able to remember your experience as a student and putting your self in your student's shoes. The general concept of this ability often brings success with communication gaps. I remember how when I was a student it seemed as though my instructors had forgotten their time as students, and many of my classmates had the same complaint. With this communication gap, my classmates often had a harder time seeing how their course content was applicable to daily life rather than just busy work. It is by remembering that situation that I make an effort to bring the content into a daily life scenario; and get the students more interested in learning to become better problem-solvers.
Brian,
Absolutely, in fact effective discussions are one of the primary activities that practicing student centered instructor benefits.
Barry Westling
Student centered instructors will find that his/her class will be more responsive to class room discussions and, they will tend to participate more in group activities.
