Jessica,
Right! And because of differences, good instructors adjust, modify, and/or individualize their instructional plan to fit their students needs.
Barry Westling
Helen,
Good point. We haven't taught if students haven't learned. Adapting our lessons to meet student needs is core to student centered learning.
Barry Westling
Each student may have a different way of taking in information and knowing that, educators provide multiple teaching techniques. Understanding the needs of the students creates a more successful learning environment.
The purpose of instructing is that the one you are giving instruction to is learning. If the student doesn't learn, I have failed my purpose.
Kathryn,
Yes, adapting our curriculum to meet student abilities is at the core of student centered instruction.
Barry Westling
Richard,
I think whenever an instructor individualizes the students academic needs, there will be improved student learning outcomes.
Barry Westling
In focusing on your students you will be aware of when a method is working or not working. You can adapt your material to meet the needs of your students.
Especially in the culinary forum in which I teach, it is imperative to be student-centered. As well, as the course verified, it is imperative to work at understanding their needs as well as how they learn. Especially with the younger kids, being anyone under 25 in this current generation. I enjoyed the idea of pre-testing as a way in which to assess individual levels of understanding of what they should have already had developed competencies.
Roy,
This forum doesn't allow me to dictate policy. That said, I think much instructor grief can be minimized by defining the parameters beforehand. Then, all students and instructor are bound by the same standards. One guideline might be; "students who don't pull their weight will receive a x.x% grade deduction as detremined by the instructor".
Barry Westling
Barry, do you have any sugestions for grading a group projects that are late due to one student in the who has not pulled his/her weight?
Roy,
In this situation, the school has a set policy, so as much as the importance of measuring student performance is, there is just as much importance in following the school policy. That said, as instructors, I see no harm is assisting your students adhere to the school policy, even reminding them if necessary. It could only help them as I see it.
Barry Westling
Barry, my school has a policy that requires a student to apporoach the instuctor regarding make up exams. If the student does not the student recvieves a 0 for the exam.
Do you think that I should approach the student first?
Roy,
My belief is that our job is to teach students. To measure the degree of how successful we are, we need to assess students. To this end, it may be appropriate to dock a student some small percentage for missed or late testing, but certainly not to deny them the opportunity.
Barry Westling
I find that by being a student-centered instructor has helped me focus my lesson plans more effectively.
Do you have any advice regarding allowing students to take make up exams?
Richard,
Right. While it's true there is more than one way to skin a cat, some methods work better than others. Whenever we personalize, we prioritize learning. And as you say, that's what it's all about.
Barry Westling
The number one reason we are instructors is teaching the students what they need to know to excell in the career that they choosen to enter.
If we are not student centered, we can not excell in our caree field.
Marie,
Great. Any individualized activity or strategy will reach students more effectively than mere "blanket" curriculum, 1-size fits all approach.
Barry Westling
Students appreciate a faculty that involves them in the learning experience. Before tackling a new topic, I engage the students in a discussion about their knowledge, insights, and biases to obtain a baseline of where to begin with formulating the class content.
This allows students to understand the course content was developed for them versus merely presenting the same material every semester. Thanks, marie
Clay,
Hands on is great (when applicable) as students can integrate the cognitive with the kinesthetic learning modes.
Barry Westling
Non-traditional students (older students or students returning to school) will appreciate a more hands on approach to teaching. I strive to understand each student and what teaching method works best. There are a lot of times that I find myself working with a student hands on, because they don't always understand more complex applications.
