It is important to focus the content of your class on the level and needs of your students. This creates a motivated environment for your students. They are excited to learn because you as the instructor have clearly shown them why it is important to learn.
It will help the students feel like you are more accessible, even though you keep professional distance
Having success in teaching means having successful students. By focusing on the students and periodic self evaluation I hope to gain greater insight into the best methods to capture the students interest and facilitate their mastery of the subject matter. I try to interact with each student as much as I can to get an idea of their personality and way of learning.
Hi Gail:
How about 25/75, with 75% being the student's end and responsibility.
I agree, it's definitely a joint effort, yet most likely, the student will either go above and beyond their part, or (more often) don't do their share.
Regards, Barry
Hi Vicki:
Having this attitude allows instructors to continually be mindful of what is in the best interest of the student, and what needs to be done to increase the chance of a successful outcome.
Regards, Barry
Hi Bonnie:
I think you've nailed it! For me, student centered shifts the focus off the pre-planned agenda contained within the cuuriculum, to how I can best convey needed information to the student in a way they are able and willing to receive it.
Regards, Barry
By being focused on the students one will be better able to assist them as needed in their comprehension and also change the approach of teaching to better meet the student's learning style.
Having a classroom run in a completely instructor-centered manner can not be good for student growth. The students may feel they're not learning or they may feel completely disconnected.
I have taken courses in the past that were not student-centered. I can vividly remember how bored I was. In fact, some of the instructors didn't even appear to care if students put their heads down on their desks during the lecture.
Unless you are able to connect with your students, you will be teaching uphill. The more you can understand your students, their different personalities, their individual learning styles, and what motivates them, you will be teaching but you will not be as effective as you would be if you could tailor your instructional material to the individual student and their personality. The key is to have your students leave with the feeling that "my instructor is committed to helping me to learn."
Hi Van:
Good points. I think we need to keep the student's outcomes in mind at all times. What do we want them to be able to do at the end of the course? Is there a way we can be more effective instructors? Being mindful of these kind of questions.
Regards, Barry
In my opinion in classroom student comes first their educational need and learning.
and if I am a organized instructor and pass on my carrier knoledge in a neat matter than my student will succed.
The students know why you are there, and you can't fake it. If they know you care about their learning, they will be more engaged and work harder. If they think you don't care (whether that's actually true or not), you will have a hard time getting any strong effort from them. This is just from my 5 short years of teaching, so I am still learning how to get that message across to them.
Hi Donna:
This is one graet way to incorporate the principle of being a student centered instructor - by encouraging the formation of these kinds of comfort groups can often help weaker students benefit from stronger ones.
Regards, Barry
Hi Jill:
That's a good way of thinking about this. We should ideally strive to keep the student's best interests at heart when giving new information. What should they be able to do when done with our class?
Regards, Barry
Understanding a student's perspective is something that can help an instructor guide them to a greater success. Granted, this does seem to pose more time spent with a particular student. But, this can be accomplished through office hours. This, I feel will further an instructor's understanding of a student in behavior and learning methods.
Hi John:
That's awesome! So in general, we try to keep the student's interests in mind during the course, and always be mindful of what outcomes we want for them at the end of the course.
Regards, Barry
Hi Barbara:
Another idea mightbe to consider the student's needs during the course, and outcomes you want for them at the end of the course.
Regards, Barry
By my students succeeding in class and establishing work related skills, I will have self satisfaction that my job is worthwhile.
Being a student centered instructor to me means to know my students and how their learning skills. This helps me to decide what type of lesson delivery I will use. It also helps with what types or type of evaluation I will use.
Being anything less is a dis-service to the students. Students sacrifice time and resource in pursuit of an education. Being anything less than a student oriented instructor is lazy, dishonest, and in my opinion larceny.
