Hi Timothy:
Great comment! I think of myself as a tool. I don't have a single purpose, but to be that resource to students who can benefit from I have to offer. By being flexible, I can adjust to the circumstances and apply the needed attention or direction that gets through to the student(s).
Regards, Barry
Hi Ma:
That's the great thing about clinical evaluations. It allows for one on one interaction with our students, which may allow the instructor to gauge how well the student understands a concept or skill.
Regards, Barry
Hi Vilma:
Very good point - students will respond more intently if they feel the instructor cares about their outcomes. Curiously, the opposite is true as well. If students's do not feel this from the instructor, they may be more apt to tune out during the discussion session.
Regards, Barry
Sometimes instructors can confuse or lose sight of why they are there,(Infront of the room teaching)and grow frustrated with student behavior or lack of dedication and start to think they are the most important person in the room. The reality is the only reason they are there is because of the students and the students are the most important persons in the room. It is the instructors job to adjust their teaching style to be the most effective educator they can be. If they stay student-centered, then they will not lose sight of that responsibility and work harder to make sure they are giving their best effort each day to be a sucessful instructor. If you stay student-centered you will look for ways to communicate and relate better to your class. While you may still get frustrated at times if you haven't quite found the right technique yet that clicks with you students, even after trying different methods. You will at least stay focused on the students and not revert back to an "It's all about me" mentality. This in the long run will make you a better instructor and lead to success.
Hi Nikki:
Good points. It's really easy to rely on prepared classes that heve been succesful in the past. The real challenge is to do unique, individualized instruction with our classes, to make them student-centered (vs. curriculum-centered or teacher-centered). Doing good takes effort.
Regards, Barry
This will help make the course more enjoyable for the students since the course is taylored around them. By making the course suited to the way the students respond to learning, I as the instructor know that I am reaching my students. The students will be more ready to learn new ideas.
Hi Coleen:
Very cool. Teacher preference (and perhaps caution) often dtermines how much personal information they want to give out. That's really an individual choice. I believe in some settings, great care about personal information should be exercised.
But nothing says we can't be the best resource a student has. By being approachable, honest and sincere, upbeat and positive, and willing to assist demonstrates we care. And every teacher really has the capability to do these relatively easy tasks. Really, it's just being kind, courteeous, and friendly - traits we all have.
Regards, Barry
Hi Makila:
For me, student-centered challenges me to focus on individual student needs, rather than simply relying on the standard, prepared daily curriculum. When we can customize lessons to indiviual students, they're bound to retain more of the required material for the day.
Regards, Barry
I will be able to create proper evaluation tools for students. Also, they will be more likely to address concerns about their performance before the end of the term.
Hi Barry,
Great question! I like the fact that each student is so different, and they can all have different challenges. By being able to relate to each individual on a personal level, I feel that I have succeeded in my own personal goal. I try to see where each stuudent is having problems, and then we focus on that together. My students also know that they can contact me at any time by email and I will likely respond within an hour or two, if not less. It is what I do! :) I like knowing that my students know they can rely on me.
Hi Lois:
Good observation! Individualizing instruction will help student learning and aslo assist personalizing the student/teacher relationship. Plus when we spend time with students we can understand how to customize thier needs better, thus giving them the special tools that will better assure their success in the calss.
Regards, Barry
Ive only been teaching for one year. I learned very quickly that students learn differently and getting to know them helped me to help them succeed.
Hi Donald:
What a wonderful reflection! Whenever we can relate to the student at whatever level they are at and bring them higher closer to mastering the material, I think we are operating in a student-centered capacity (vs. curriculum-centered, or instructor-centered).
Regards, Barry
I try to remember where I was and what I know when I sat where my students sit today. When you can remember your own struggles it helps you help them.
Hi Kevin:
Good strategies! Whenever we can individualize instruction, each student will befit and their learning experience enhanced. That's what a student-centered (vs. curriculum-centered) instructional setting is all about.
Regards, Barry
Hi Leigh:
Interesting metaphor for a warm body! It true, customizing through personalizing of instruction will be noticed by students, especially if they're struggling a bit. For the relatively little time we spend with a student, it often pays back with dividends in the successfulness.
Regards, Barry
Students can tell the difference between an instructor who is really there for them or who is just there as a "space heater"
Hi James:
For me, student-centered instruction prioritizes individual student needs to accomplish the student learning objectives.
Regards, Barry
Hi Dallan:
"We can if we care!". That's my statement describing teachers who aspire to be student-centered. For me, that means personalizing instruction at every opportunity, which may need to over shadow my planned activities (teacher-centered). Conveying "I care", and then doing the follow up to be sure the same sentiment is shared by all my students is my focus.
Regards, Barry
Hi William:
Sometome I'll contrast student-centered vs curriculum centered. In the latter, the teacher plods forward in their prepared curriculum regardless if students learn or not. Rather, individualizing instruction in a manner that each and every student gets it is a way to describe student centered. Obviously, this is a much better route to take.
Regards, Barry
