Especially with adult learners, it's important for them to be in charge of their own learning. They come with so many life experiences, they need to learn with and from each other. However, I find I have to teach this to my students. So many of them, maybe b/c they are "old school" or maybe b/c they are just overworked and tired, want me to teach "at" them. For instance, in one of my 1st adult classes, I nearly had a mutiny b/c, instead of showing the powerpoint to the chapter, like their other insttructors, I had them doing activities and group discussions. Many had become used to not doing the reading homework and then just taking notes during the PP. I had to teach them about the long term retention that comes with repetition and application.
Amy,
Very true sentiment. Too often instructors get caught up in what they want to say or how they want to teach, but fail to consider if the methods and activities are helping their students learn.
Barry Westling
If student education is not the main reason for teaching than neither the instructor or student can claim success.
James,
I think this is true. We all have a certain perception of ourselves, but we might modify some of our actions, behavior, or presentation if we could see ourselves through the lens of our students and others. Friendly critiques by our instructor colleagues might be one way to do this, at least partially. I suppose videotaping ourselves and watching the result might be another way. In the latter, we understand we are our own worst critics and maybe we would be inclined to change things more by our own standards.
Barry Westling
If you can see yourself as students see you it can only help in relating to the students on a more personal level.
Alan,
Yes, and some extra confidence comes when we are fully aware that we can alter our planned lessons in order to address students, each with their individual needs, as being student cenetered will provide. Student outcomes should improve as well.
Barry Westling
It will help make me better prepared and confident when entering the classroom.
Stephanie,
Yes, when we're focused on student needs the students will get a better instructional experience. It's the difference between the instructors fixed plan and modification to meet students needs.
Barry Westling
Being a student-centered instructor allows you to create a good rapport with the students. This is necessary to have the students actively participate in the learning process. Getting to know each of the students and discovering their learning preference allows the instructor to design instruction that will meet the needs of all the students. This provides for the highest level of student success and gets the students excited about the material. All of this combined allows the instructor to have success in teaching.
Christie,
Yes, and students both appreciate and benefit from the creative time and effort instructors put into their classes. Yes there are results, but in human terms, there can be life changes!
Barry Westling
Coming from a Remedial stand point, as that is what I currently teach, this approach works best. Students work best in this type of setting, as instructors strive to have learners participate, it is important to create lessons that will incorporate kinesthetic and/or hands-on elements.
Naturally, I try to wait a standard 3-5 seconds for answers, request that students come up to the board and teach each other, and promote discussion. These tactics support adult and remedial learning, alike, and allow for a comfortable and positive learning environment.
Therefore, striving to be a student-centered instructor comes with benefits. I have witnessed that inside of my classroom. Both as a student and as a teacher. It really works!
- C. Pannizzo
Janelle,
Yes. The key is to get to know our students, strengths, weaker areas, needs, and ways they respond. Much like a family, each their own special needs and prefered ways they learn. The closer we come to meeting students where they are, the more likely we are going to reach them with our desired information and course material.
Barry Westling
Designing a classroom experience that will promote learning involves understanding how the learner assimilates new information. It is important to create learning opportunities that address all types of learners and learning styles. To do so, one must get to know each student in the class, their motivation, challenges and past experiences in education. If students are to be successful, they must believe that the instructor cares about them and wants to see them succeed.
Sarah,
Great perspective and summary regarding student-centered instruction. We are really facilitators of learning.
Barry Westling
Being a student-centered instructor means that the focus is on learning not teaching. So I need to be prepared with student assessements in order to know if I am being a successful teacher. I also am able to bring my personal experiences to the classroom to use as examples.
Angela,
Your past experience with your own instructors is one good way to create an environment for learning that instills interest, enjoyment, and professional behavior needed for success in the workplace. It's always great when their is mutual trust and respect among instructors and their students. That often occurs when students feel their instructor cares about thei successfulness.
Barry Westling
My goal in teaching is that my students learn the material that I present and that they have an interest in/excitement about the field they have chosen. I look to my students for feed back frequently and take their comments about the class seriously as they are the ones who can guage if I am meeting my goal or not. The best teachers I have had in the past are those who are concerned about whether or not I am learning the material. I strive to be one of those teachers.
Cynthia,
Very true, and diligent instructors should want to understand where improvements may be needed and also work towards developing ongoing skills and techniques that make for more interesting and effective classes.
Barry Westling
Focusing on the student's needs and abilities will help you to succeed in teaching. When you are more conscious of how you are presenting to the students than just the material itself you will be better able to reach them. Every class, every student is different and making every effort to reach all the students with various techniques and tools can improve your success tremendously.
Lindsey,
This sounds great. I've observed students get lost easily, not so much on the content necessarily, but more along, "where is this going", why are we talking about this now", and "where does this fit into the big picture - why do I need to know it". This is where frequent updating and re-explaining frequently can do a lot to inform students and keep them on the same wave length as us.
Barry Westling
