Students will connect to the topic and build confidence when they have an opportunity to actively participate in the lesson. I think giving students an action plan and task to complete will help them understand the topic being taught.
- Wendi Ledbetter
Edson,
This is a good summary of the essence of what student-centered learning is all about.
Barry Westling
I like your take on this discussion, I have found this to be true with a fair amount of the students I have taught. And have done similar thoings in the past and present to establish that the students needs and concerns are met in a timely mannner
When an instructor is student centered they understand what the student needs and what their challenges are. With this type of instructor the students have a deeper respect for the instructor and have an easier time learning the content delivered to them. Also this shows the students that the instructor sees them as a person and a student, not just a body in a seat.
Lisa,
Wow, 28 classes! The thing about the student centered approach is your students ultimately benefit from your focus on what they need to know without spending as much time on information they already know. So in the end, you and they benefit!
Barry Westling
Being a student-centered instructor will help me with my success in teaching by forcing me to get to know what motivates them individually. It will initially be more work for me as I will be giving as many as 28 one-on-one classes but it will also help me to recognize their individual potential more quickly in the long run.
Jamie,
I think a big part of the student centered thing is successfully carried out by just being ourselves and acting as we would anyone we were sincerely trying to help. It's sort of like removing the facade of teacher|student, and moving more towards student and teacher working together. It takes more time sometimes but the student benefit is worth it to me.
Barry Westling
Michael,
That's great. When instructors try, even a little, to recognize differences, and make accommodations for those differences, students will respond, and get more out of the class.
Barry Westling
Being a student-centered instructor will sharpen your observation skills because you must pay attention to the social and learning needs of each individual student in order to make the learning process about the students.
A teacher must become more innovative and creative in order to produce activities, and develop activities/projects and discussion questions for student-centered learning, as well as how to guide the student in becoming accountable for his/her learning.
In a sense, you begin to coach the student through his/her educational journey.
When focus is shifted to student learning, an instructor could become less anxious about his/her delivery methods. Students definitely respond to the anxiety/stress levels of instructors; so less stress is good for both instructor and students.
I think it is important to recongize that you will have different types of learners in the class and it is necessary to use variety of activities in the classroom. I have a learning style assessment quiz I use at the college here in order to understand the some of the different leaarning styles.
As a student-centered learning am not expected to know all the learning styles, but I should be able to recongize and understand some of the different learning style. I think my job as an instructor is to accommodiate students and be helpful in meeting their educational needs.
Thomas,
Right. I'm sure it's no surprise that every class has it's own personality. Therefore, even though the course objectives or student learning outcomes may be fixed, how an instructor goes about achieving them may have to be modified according to that class's learning needs and uniqueness.
Barry Westling
One of the challenges of an administrator is the selection of a student-centered instructor. I believe that the instructors that tailor their instructional methods to the students that they are currently teaching generally experience more success in the classroom. Constantly update the lessons instead of dusting off the same old lesson plan that has been used for the last ten years.
Angel,
Really, both instructor and student have goals and needs, Student centered instruction works towards meeting both, and usually requires both to make adjustments so that both needs are met.
Barry Westling
Being a student-centered instructor will help an instructor be successful. Focusing on the student's needs, abilities, interests and learing styles is important. This means putting the student first. The student will benefit greatly because this will strengthen student motivation and build relationships. It might reduce disruptive behavior, too.
Jeff,
The bigget thing about student centered learning is the connection between the student and instructor is strengthened. I always have a plan of action for my classes. But I am also willing to modify imy plan to meet individual needs as may be necessary if I notice that one of my students needs special help. There are many variations to student centered learning, the one I described is only one.
Barry Westling
By being a student centered instructor you will focus you energy towards your students and institution. This approach will keep you in touch with your students and assist in the overall learning environment, ensuring student success. Students will see that you are there for them and they will want to utilize you as a positive resource for their experience.
Carolyn,
I think when we are student centered, we are essentially saying "I want to understand what your individual needs are and help you meet meet my class needs for your comprehension of course content".
Barry Westling
It will benefit the current students as well as future students. Afer atll, the students are why I teach
James,
Good. I think the more we know about our students the better we're able to help them in their individual, special ways.
Barry Westling
i do this by trying to get to no my students background, then going off of this i structure my teaching off this it has the students success in mind and they seem to respond really well to this. by knowing a little about them makes them feel more at rest and not afraid to ask the questions.
