By being student centered you are making sure that the student feels that their oppinion matters. That they are part of the class.
Corliss,
Right! Giving personalized instruction by being willing to modify the days planned activities makes the student feel the teacher cares and also benefits the student by assuring the covered material will be learned and reaetained.
Barry Westling
Great! Students should feel that they are the center and focus point of instructions. They will usually apply themselves and get involve with the learning process.
Thanks Corliss
Valerie,
This sounds terriic! For me, being student centered means willing to modify or adjust my prepared agenda to meet the student need at the moment. I may have plans to go one direction, but if I sense some students are not keeping up, being willing to personalize the help they need focuses my actions on the student need, rather than a predetermined plan that serves only my needs.
Barry Westling
I habe been teaching for quite some time and always try to convey solid learning in a class. I am very enthusiastic about whatever I teach, even if it is not one of my favorites. I think students become enthusiastic about learning if the instructor conveys enthusiasm and also makes it fun to learn.
Velma,
Right, understood. Fair but firm is a good way to practice, in most instances.
Barry Westling
Angela,
I find that students really open up to an instructor once they realize that the Instructor is genuinely interested in their success. Of course to gain their respect the instructor must first show them respect.
Velma
Thank you for the comments. The point is received on making minor adjustments. Students can make interesting demands, and to completely give in to a student's request or preference could be disastrous to a lesson plan.
Velma
Jodie,
That's a great quote! It rings true in school, but especially among career school students. Usually adults, they need to feel their instructor is pulling for them, and when they do, they are much more willing to cooperate with the teachers expectations. And getting students to adhere to expecatations is a great accomplishment in itself!
Barry Westling
I TRULY believe that being a student-centered instructor starts w/ this Famous Quote "No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care"
Velma,
Right - adapting to student needs rather than rigidly following a strict curriculum.
Barry Westling
Velma,
Great comments.henever the teacher begins to think from the perspective of the stiudent they are likely going to make minor adjustments to what was planned in order to assist their students. The willingness to do this really captures the essence of student centered teaching.
Barry Westling
That is a great example of being student centered. You actually met the student at the point of their need. The student did not have to go another step in now figuring out how to adapt the instrument for the left handed person, but was able to immediately demonstrate what they saw.
As instructors we are truly the facilitators of learning, but we have to be willing to be comfortable in that role. As a new instructor I am learning that role, slowly but making progress.
Being a student-centered instructor will provide teaching success I believe in the following ways.
1. Delivery of content in the way the students prefer will keep students engaged in the material and in the class. If students are not very motivated or enthusiastic at an afternoon class where they tend to fall asleep after lunch, they may prefer to do more engaging activities at this time. Planning more interactive activities during this time will allow the instructor to retain the students’ participation/attention and satisfy the student's need to be more fully engaged.
2. Individual students will be able to reach their maximum potential in gaining all they can from the class if the instructor is aware of their individual needs/goals and adapt the teaching learning environment to fit the needs of the students.
Kelsey,
It's really simple: when students feel their teachers care, they're going to try harder to do better. I think that is true in any setting, but especially career colleges (they often need more encouargaement due to poor past life expierences).
Barry Westling
Mary,
Great! Individualizing students needs is what student centered teaching is all about. We have to be willing to set aside our planned activities in order to meet our students needs.
Barry Westling
Students that choose career colleges are looking for something other than traditional instruction. Being able to individualize the lessons to your students helps your students succeed and in turn help the instructor succeed.
Because I'll be focused on my students needs I think I will have a better connection as to what they are not understanding or maybe having trouble with which will allow me to come up with different activities that may assist them in their learning
Patricia,
Good point. On the other hand, when the students do feel we are there to help them, individualize their instruction, personalize the relationship, and do whatever we can to assist in their success, they'll give us the support, trust and respect that makes coming to work worthwhile.
Barry Westling
The students will know that I actually do care about them and their success -it's not about me -students are masters at 'instructor analysis' and the minute they perceive me as being anything else, I will have lost their attention.
