Our basic nature is to focus on ourselves. As an instructor I have to break that pattern, and realize that it is more important that students understand and connect with the information that I am teaching. I easily can assess how I believe I am doing in my job, but the true measure is reflected in the students ability to comprehend and learn. It is so important to look at the students' reactions with the thought in my mind "So how am I REALLY doing?". You can tell by reactions and interaction, if you're honest with yourself, the answer to that question.
Students know when an instructor is really trying to provide the best for them. When my students have that feeling about me my job gets so much easier. You can see a change in their thinking process and they really start to excell. There is no better feeling then that for a teacher. Other students cant wait to come to this clinical site because of the positive feedback they hear from previous students. This helps to insure I always get motivated students.
Hi Dennis:
Great self analysis and sharing of your personal experiences. I think this is similar for many instructors. For me, whenever I can personalize instruction to assist a student learn in a manner they can relate to, I feel I'm acting in a student-centered fashion.
Regards, Barry
After 7 1/2 years there has never been one class with the same M O.Being a student-centered instructor sets ground work for an over all success in retention and final completion of that course.
Every body is different and learning different delivery methods and being proactive in preparation while learning from mistakes along the way has helped me become a student -centered instructor looking forward to the next class and enjoying the work I do . The satisfaction of student satisfaction and success that they got what they came for.
Hi Howard:
I think interaction with students by individualizing their instruction produces the greater results, and the students feel better by it too.
Regards, Barry
Hi Lori:
When we can individualize instruction, students are just more lilely to benefit and retain more.
Regards, Barry
Hi Andrea:
One way we can promote this type of attitude in ourselves is to constantly ask "am I being effective"? If the answer is no, what needs to change?
Regards, Barry
Hi Ashley:
Very true - one way to keep sight of this philosophy is to use as many teaching activities as we can, which should promote the most robust learning environment that we can offer.
Regards, Barry
Having been a culinary student once myself I feel I know exactly how the student feels. I model my teaching style after the instructors I had the most respect for. Those instructors were the ones that cared about the student from beginning to end in their education and helping them to be best prepared to enjoy success in their career.
Being a student-centered instructor will help me to have success in teaching. The demographics of the student population are changing. The focus of student centered teaching is the key to success in teaching. I enjoy the interaction with my students on a personal level. I can focus on the individual learner. I like the active learning concept. Student can acquire more knowledge and skills than passive learning.
It gives yur students confidence in knowing that you are there for them and that there success is important to you.
Hi Jesse:
Your description is very telling. It suggests the proinciple of relating to students's individual learning needs is valid. Great!
Regards, Barry
Before I was an instructor at my school, I was a student in a school like mine. I was in a course of study that I now teach and went into the profession I was studing. I am still professionally involved in the subject I am teaching. As an instructor I approach every class with an insight into what a student, (me), wants to learn and needs to learn to enter my profession. Being a student-centered instructor, I believe, is what helps me be a better instructor and what inspires me to keep teaching.
Jesse Walker
Hi Jennifer:
Small classes are really a great help. As you say though, we still need to be prepared to customize or individualize instruction for each student in order they receive the maximum benefit of the variety of learning resources we have available to assist them.
Regards, Barry
I also find it difficult to meet each student's different instructional needs. I am lucky enough to have small classes most of the time. Even with a class of 7 this quarter, I am finding it difficult to respond adequately to each student's technological, physical, and practical needs. However, when I am able to meet the needs, the students really do seem to respond well and learn more.
Hi Lori:
In another sense, we could subtitute this term to "learning-centered", as that what the resiult is when we begin to zero in on individual performance needs of our students.
Regards, Barry
Hi Julie:
Yes, needs are being met because the instructor is willing to modify or customize the lesson and instruction to individual student needs. Really, all instruction should have degree of being student centered. Unfortunately, that's not the case.
Regards, Barry
In order to grow as an instructor you must constantly analyze student reaction to material presented. You must take a look at your student body and assess the best methods of instruction for that particular body of students. If you take the time to study your class that will lead to more student engagement and student success. The students will know you care about them and you can take pride that you have played an important part in your students' educational journey.
When an instructor is student centered, the students feel more empowered in the classroom and that their needs are being addressed.
Hi Anna:
Many teachers are restricted in their autonomy to customize the lesson plan, so some lessons have to be taught a certain way regardless if students benefit or not. How sad.
Regards, Barry
