If I am a student - centered instructor I will be able to better meet the needs of the students. Realizing that not all students learn the same way I find that it is important to attempt to meet the different needs of the students by incorporating different styles of lesson plans throughout the class. I find that attempting to relate my real life experiences of the field in the classrooms grabs the attention of the students and this gives us the opportunity to build on different discussions. I find that with every discussion there is a point to learn about everyone and this begins the process of building a rapport with the students. A good rapport with the students will not only help in the class that you are teaching currently but will follow you throughout the classes that you have together.
Hi Mary:
Yeah, especially in Vo-Tech or career training environments, you get the full gamut and varieties of backgrounds. For me, student centered suggests I put aside my planned, prepared lesson, and try to evaluate "how can I best convey this topic to this student?" It may take the teacher far from what they had planned, but if you reach the student, success has been achieved. And that's really what the ultimate goal is all about.
Regards, Barry
A student-centered instructor must embrace differentiation. My students not only have varying learning styles, but also various ranges of background knowledge. Some have taken college courses and some have just completed their GED. Some have never used a computer and others are proficient in technology. It is a challenge to meet all the different instructional needs but the rewards are great when you see the learning take place.
When your goals are centered on student sucess, the students will see this and it will draw them towards whatever you are doing. This will translate to the other faculty and staff. It would be far better to be known as the teacher who cares than to be one of the ones who don't.
Teaching from the students perspective will inform and guide the content and delivery methods of the course. The student will see relevence to the skill sets required on the job.
Hi Linda:
I agree having a good relationship is extremely important. I think when we're student centerede, we are looki8ng for ways to individualize our instructional delivery as much as possible. We may have a great curriculum, but if it doesn't reach students, we missed the boat. Student centered attempts to customize and personlize learning to assure all students get the needede information.
Regards, Barry
If you can relate to students and your experiences as a student, you will bond with them.
Student-centred learning is focused on the student's needs, abilities, interests, and learning styles with the teacher as a facilitator of learning. This classroom teaching method acknowledges student voice as central to the learning experience for every learner. Teacher-centred learning has the teacher at its centre in an active role and students in a passive, receptive role. Student-centred learning requires students to be active, responsible participants in their own learning.
