Barry Westling

Hi David:

Another fun consideration about this topic is this question - how do we ideally deal with the difficult student while maintaining an attitude of being a student centered instructor?

Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Hi Nancy:

In support of your comment, many pedagogy philosophies focus on using as many types of teaching activities as possible to address the different learning styles adult learners tend to have.

Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Hi Jeanette:

Absolutely! And, by keeping this ideal in mind at all times, we will be more certain to help bring our students to the desired outcomes we are looking for.

Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Hi Shantana:

So what we are all really describing is an "attitude" that best serves the student's outcomes. Would you agree?

Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Hi Don:

While not always thought of in this manner, pre-tests might help reveal the very mood you are describing, helping the instructor tailor the class in the way you describe.

Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Hi Warren:

Exactly - it's very easy for an instructor to lose sight of this point. The student is the focus. That said, it behooves us to do everything we can to enhance their success, including making statements in a one on one sense to this effect from time to time.

Regards, Barry

Kelvin Gurr CHEP

By focusing on the student I can direct my approach of what I am instructing to relate to the students prior experiences and life skills. Getting more involved with the students on a personal level also helps make a connection and enhanses the partnership in learning. Getting out of the mindset that this is just a job and I teach thins today and that tomorrow, blah,blah... helps target the learning that can lead to the ah ha moments that propel self leaning or even teaches the student how to learn.

Martin Chadwick

I think caring goes even deeper - - if students believe you care about them as a person they seem to be much more open and receptive to the ideas I propose and discuss - - bottom line I guess is that it helps to build trust

Colleen Schwindt

The student is the main reason I am employed as an instructor. I need to treat them with respect and as individuals. In setting up the curriculum I put the subject in general terms but lead the discussions around the questions and the comments of the students.

Monica Lawson

I think it is extremely important to know your students and their learner style. As an instructor when you know your students you are able to connect with them. This allows you to modify your approach or angle to enable the students to understand your lectures.

Venusa Toomey

Being a student-centered instructor, it enables student engagement tailored individually based on student's needs and pace of learning. Such approach provides an efficient delivery of course content and meet the learning objectives effectively.

Keith Prokopp

Student buy-in won't happen unless the instructor recognizes the characteristics of his or her students and the importance of making connections. Its an extension of empathy. The best IDEs are able to do this.

Deborah Hodges

I agree as well. I feel that students who are treated as an individual and not just one of many in a group they will feel secure that they are important and that the instructor has their best interest at heart. They should always feel that not only is it their own personal goal to succeed but that is also their instructors goal to get them there.

Katrina Woolson

I agree completely!! My students don't always like my style of exams(they are challenging) because the questions are designed exactly as the certification and registration exams for our profession. I am always telling my students, "It's not the grade you receive but, the comprehension of the material. When you pass your certification exam on the first attempt, then I have accomplished my job as your instructor!"

Brant Brown CHEP

I believe that it is helpful in shifting the prospective of my experience into one of what is the expectations and goals of the students. Knowing their differnet backgrounds and ambitions is helpful in knowing if the content provided is above their learning capacity, from that of the student not being prepared.

cathleen scott-slayback

Being student-centered helps me create lessons that focus on student needs as much as course material. Students come into the classroom at different places in their skills, so I need to plan daily classwork that builds skills for some students and reinforces skills for others - - while engaging both types of students to keep interest levels up.

Jana Knibb

A student centered instructor will have sucess in teaching, because they will tailor their delivery of the course content to ensure that the students are receptive and responding to the content of the course.

milagros Leitsch

Being a student-centered instructor,I'll be able
to identify the student's learning styles and
present my course content in the different ways
that will be appealing to the learning preference of the student.I'll be able to customize my teaching materials that will fit
the learning needs of the student.

Bill Walker

Student-centered teaching methods shift the focus of activity from the teacher to the learners. These methods include active learning, in which students solve problems, answer questions, formulate questions of their own, discuss, explain, debate, or brainstorm during class; cooperative learning, in which students work in teams on problems and projects under conditions that assure both positive interdependence and individual accountability; and inductive teaching and learning, in which students are first presented with challenges and learn the course material in the context of addressing the challenges.